A beautiful Arapaima about to be released in Brazil
Arapaima
Arapaima arapaima
Arapaima gigas
Arapaima leptosoma
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Arapaima Description
Arapaim are one of the largest scaled freshwater fish (possibly the largest), reaching documented sizes of over 10 feet long and weighin in excess of 400lbs. They are found in the Amazon in parts of Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, and other South American Countries. In Peru and Bolivia they are called Paiche, while in other places they are sometimes called Pirarucu.
Arapaima are highly adaptable and are able to breathe air directly, giving away their location every 20 minutes or so by coming to the surface and gulping air. They are an ancient fish, with some fossils dating back millions of years.
Arapaima are highly prized for food, so specimens close to the maximum size are exceedingly rare. They are often speared when they come up for air. They are farmed extensively, and so their meat is not difficult to obtain in many South American countries.
Arapaima are a smart fish and very spooky, and will completely shut off if they hear suspicious sounds such as things bumping around in a boat. When hooked, the larger ones are very adept at jumping and spitting the hook or heading for submerged timber and freeing themselves.
Arapaima eat mostly fish, although they will feed opportunistically on other things. They do not chase them down, but mostly gulp them in as they go by. When captured, they can thrash violently and cause injury, so be careful with them. A medium sized one that I caught actually knocked a teenage boy out cold with a headbutt.
Wild Arapaima are threatened and should be released should be released; please see the release tips here.
Arapaima arapaima
Arapaima gigas
Arapaima leptosoma
HOME
Check Out Other Species
Arapaima Description
Arapaim are one of the largest scaled freshwater fish (possibly the largest), reaching documented sizes of over 10 feet long and weighin in excess of 400lbs. They are found in the Amazon in parts of Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, and other South American Countries. In Peru and Bolivia they are called Paiche, while in other places they are sometimes called Pirarucu.
Arapaima are highly adaptable and are able to breathe air directly, giving away their location every 20 minutes or so by coming to the surface and gulping air. They are an ancient fish, with some fossils dating back millions of years.
Arapaima are highly prized for food, so specimens close to the maximum size are exceedingly rare. They are often speared when they come up for air. They are farmed extensively, and so their meat is not difficult to obtain in many South American countries.
Arapaima are a smart fish and very spooky, and will completely shut off if they hear suspicious sounds such as things bumping around in a boat. When hooked, the larger ones are very adept at jumping and spitting the hook or heading for submerged timber and freeing themselves.
Arapaima eat mostly fish, although they will feed opportunistically on other things. They do not chase them down, but mostly gulp them in as they go by. When captured, they can thrash violently and cause injury, so be careful with them. A medium sized one that I caught actually knocked a teenage boy out cold with a headbutt.
Wild Arapaima are threatened and should be released should be released; please see the release tips here.
Another large Arapaima caught in Brazil
This replica gives an idea of the size they can reach
Arapaima Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 8 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
This rating is not a strict pound for pound rating, but does account for the Arapaima's large size. Arapaima have hard mouths that are fairly difficult to hook, and often jump to try to spit the hook. They also have a penchant for heading into cover, which can result in a broken line or a spit hook. The large ones are especially smart and adept at escaping. You need the right tackle and several things to go right in order to land a big one.
Arapaima Tackle
Arapaima require a stiff rod to set the hook in their hard bony mouths. They have raspy sandpaper-like teeth that can wear through line, so a heavy fluorocarbon leader of 80-100lbs is recommended. I had one break a 100lb mono leader. If targeting large ones, you do not want to use less than 65lb braid, and 80lb braid is better. Make sure all hooks are strong enough to hold such a large fish and that any split rings are up to the task.
Arapaima Techniques
Arapaima can be caught on fly, lures, and bait. They are easiest to catch with bait, as they will not always chase lures and flies. When using artificials, you should employ a very slow retrieve.
Arapaima are spooky, so long casts are best. Even better would be to use a drone to take baits far away where the fish are less likely to spook.
Arapaima Lures
Arapaima will hit a variety of lures and flies that resemble baitfish in the 5"-10" range. I had good success with the Rapala Super Shad Rap shown below, fished with a very slow steady retrieve. I highly recommend replacing treble hooks for strong singles like the BKK Lone Diablo. These large fish will easily bend out weak hooks.
This rating is not a strict pound for pound rating, but does account for the Arapaima's large size. Arapaima have hard mouths that are fairly difficult to hook, and often jump to try to spit the hook. They also have a penchant for heading into cover, which can result in a broken line or a spit hook. The large ones are especially smart and adept at escaping. You need the right tackle and several things to go right in order to land a big one.
Arapaima Tackle
Arapaima require a stiff rod to set the hook in their hard bony mouths. They have raspy sandpaper-like teeth that can wear through line, so a heavy fluorocarbon leader of 80-100lbs is recommended. I had one break a 100lb mono leader. If targeting large ones, you do not want to use less than 65lb braid, and 80lb braid is better. Make sure all hooks are strong enough to hold such a large fish and that any split rings are up to the task.
Arapaima Techniques
Arapaima can be caught on fly, lures, and bait. They are easiest to catch with bait, as they will not always chase lures and flies. When using artificials, you should employ a very slow retrieve.
Arapaima are spooky, so long casts are best. Even better would be to use a drone to take baits far away where the fish are less likely to spook.
Arapaima Lures
Arapaima will hit a variety of lures and flies that resemble baitfish in the 5"-10" range. I had good success with the Rapala Super Shad Rap shown below, fished with a very slow steady retrieve. I highly recommend replacing treble hooks for strong singles like the BKK Lone Diablo. These large fish will easily bend out weak hooks.
A big Arapaima that hit a lure in the rain
Rapala Super Shad Rap that caught the fish above
Arapaima Baits
Arapaima will take a variety of live and dead baits. Live baitfish taken from the area you are fishing are always a good bet, but live bait is really not necessary. You can fish baits both weightless and with a float to determine what the fish prefer.
When fishing with bait, circle hooks are a great option so that the fish don't get stomach hooked if they swallow the bait.
Arapaima will take a variety of live and dead baits. Live baitfish taken from the area you are fishing are always a good bet, but live bait is really not necessary. You can fish baits both weightless and with a float to determine what the fish prefer.
When fishing with bait, circle hooks are a great option so that the fish don't get stomach hooked if they swallow the bait.
Fighting a big Arapaima in Brazil
Where to get the big Arapaima
There are a number of places to catch them in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Guyana, and other Amazon regions. They are found throughout the Amazon, but only in readily-catchable concentrations in a handful of places.
There are a number of places to catch them in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Guyana, and other Amazon regions. They are found throughout the Amazon, but only in readily-catchable concentrations in a handful of places.
A fat-bellied specimen caught on bait
They are not all giants. Here is a little River Monster in training.