Freshwater
Arapaima
Arapaima gigas
- Peak season
- Dry season (September–March)
- Length range
- 150–400 cm
- Weight range
- 20–200 kg
- Typical depth
- 0–10 m
Habitat
Amazon basin floodplain lakes, oxbows, and slow rivers. The world's largest scaled freshwater fish — can exceed 200 kg.
Behavior
Air-breathing predator that surfaces regularly. Strikes at baitfish near the surface; incredibly powerful.
Best techniques
- Sight casting with large swimbaits
- Live bait near surfacing fish
- Large topwater lures
- Heavy tackle with cut piranha
