The Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) is the largest freshwater fish in the world. A native of the Amazon, it brings benefits both to the ecosystem it inhabits and the local fishing communities. Its Brazilian name Piraracu is derived from two indigenous words – pira meaning fish and urucum the name of the annato (a red pigment) plant in reference to the reddish marks towards the tail-end.

It is a large fish and may be up to 3 metres long and weigh between 100 and 200 kg. It has two breathing mechanisms, gills for breathing in the water and a modified respiratory swim bladder that works as a kind of lung and enables it to breathe in air.

The species inhabits lakes and tributary rivers with clear waters and temperatures between 24 and 37ºC, The Arapaima is not found in waters with a strong current or those heavily laden with sediments.

The Arapaima is omnivorous and can feed on plants or animals. Its varied diet may include fruits, worms, insects, molluscs, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles and sometimes even aquatic birds.