Dossier:
not provided by us yet
WelfareCheck:
F (2022-08-12)
Advice:
not provided by us yet
Profile status
Taxonomy
Ethograms
In the wild:
not investigated by us yet
Farm/lab:
not investigated by us yet
Catch/lab:
not investigated by us yet
Growth
Length:
not investigated by us yet
Weight:
not investigated by us yet
Maturity:
F2-5 years
Malformations:
no data found yet
Swimming
Reproduction
Handling
Farming remarks
FishTalk
Arapaima gigas is a carnivorous fish that naturally inhabits the lowland with slow-flowing waters of the Amazon River basin in South America, occurring in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Peru. It is a long-living species with parental care – especially by males – often referred to as one of the largest freshwater FISHES of the world. It was already introduced to Bolivia, China, Cuba, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, but the main producer is still Brazil.
A. gigas has great economic and cultural importance, presenting some characteristics which are advantageous for aquaculture, such as the best growth rate among the Amazonian farmed fish species and a great tolerance to handling and ammonia concentrations. This fish is also tolerant to low dissolved oxygen levels due to its obligatory aerial breathing. A. gigas is harvested as JUVENILES and is commercialised mainly as fillet. The active fishing has reduced its population size and the occurrence of large IND over the years, especially around the populated regions of the Amazon. Because this fish appears in the CITES II section (strictly regulated and controlled commerce), its aquaculture development relies solely on spontaneous reproduction in captivity. Further research about home range, density of aggregation, and aggression in the wild is still needed. Moreover, nothing is known about a possible high-standard slaughter method for this species or the malformation rates under farming conditions.
For details see: WelfareCheck | farm (latest major release: 2022-08-12)
Related news
2024-09-04: New episodes of fair-fish database podcast programme
FishEthoGroup produced new spots of their Fish Talk's podcast programme on species from the fair-fish database. In series 18, you will find around 2 minutes of informative knowledge on Papyrocranus afer (Reticulated knifefish), Barbonymus schwanenfeldii (Tinfoil barb), and Arapaima gigas (Arapaima). For the first time, FishEthoGroup also covered a wild-caught species of our recently launched catch branch: Engraulis ringens (Peruvian anchoveta). And if you cannot get enough, also give their new episode of The Fish Mind programme a listen. In the current season about fish abilities, you may find episodes on memory, tool use, and self recognition. The new episode 4 is all about nest building in fishes. Enjoy and recommend!
2022-09-07: New species profile: Arapaima gigas
From the Amazon river comes the new species for the FishEthoBase: Arapaima gigas, locally known as Pirarucu. This species is really a giant - it is considered one of the largest freshwater species worldwide. Especially depth and reproduction needs can be met in captivity, but there is more research needed on home range, aggregation, aggression, malformation rates, and a slaughter protocol to be able to assess the welfare potential in farms. Have a look at our analysis here.
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