File:Arapaima gigas 3874.ogv

Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822) Family: Arapaimidae - band fishes, bony tongues; Named in Brazil: Pirarucù, Warapai, Bodeco, Bodequinho Peru and Ecuador: Paiche Guyana: Warapai Colombia: De-chi, Pirarucù, Paiche, Ticuna Ecuador: Paiche USA: Giant arapaima China: 巨巴西骨舌魚 (引進) Japan: アロワナ科

The largest scaled freshwater fish in the world lives only in north-eastern South America; particularly in the Guyana Shield and the Amazon River Basin. The Makushi, the second largest indigenous group in Guyana and the third largest in Brazil call the fish - Warapai. Arapaima reaches lengths of up to 3 metres (10 ft.) and weigh up to 200 kg (440 lbs.). The swim bladder of the arapaima is open to the pharynx and the fish uses the bladder which is rich in blood vessels as a lung. The adult arapaima surfaces every 18-20 minutes and juveniles every 5 minutes for gulping air. Due to their ability to breath air from the surface arapaima can survive depletion of oxygen in the water and extensive drought periods by burrowing in the mud. The father guarding the eggs is known to take them in his mouth and move them to another location. The young are led by the male in a group once they are able to swim.

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