The arapaima, a giant of the Amazonian waterways and one of the world’s largest freshwater fish, raises questions about its potential danger to humans. This article assesses the actual threat it poses and outlines ways to minimize risks during encounters in its natural habitat.
Arapaima’s Nature and Habitat
The arapaima (genus Arapaima), also known as pirarucu or paiche, is an exceptionally large freshwater fish native to the Amazon and Essequibo basins of South America. These fish can reach lengths exceeding 3 meters (10 ft) and weigh over 200 kilograms (440 lbs). Their bodies are torpedo-shaped, featuring large, blackish-green scales with distinctive red markings, especially towards the tail.
Arapaima inhabit slow-moving, often oxygen-deficient rivers, lakes, and flooded forests within the Amazon River basin floodplain. They can breathe air using a modified swim bladder that functions like a lung, allowing them to survive in waters with low oxygen levels. They must surface every 10 to 20 minutes to gulp air, making a characteristic gulping or coughing sound. Their diet primarily consists of fish, but also includes crustaceans, insects, and small land animals or birds near the water’s edge. They employ a “gulper” feeding strategy, creating a vacuum to pull prey into their large mouths.
Assessing the Threat to Humans
Arapaima are not aggressive towards humans; they prefer to avoid contact and swim away if they sense people nearby. However, their immense size and powerful movements mean they can pose a danger under specific circumstances, primarily through accidental or defensive actions rather than intentional attacks. Injuries often occur when the fish is startled, feels threatened, or is caught by fishermen.
A risk arises from their tendency to leap out of the water when startled or cornered, particularly in shallow areas or during breeding season. A blow from a leaping arapaima, with its bony head and powerful body, can knock a person unconscious, potentially leading to drowning or injury from hitting boat structures. Instances have been reported where individuals sustained severe bruising and even broken ribs from such impacts. While anecdotal stories of arapaima pulling people from boats exist, direct predatory attacks on humans are rare.
Minimizing Risk During Encounters
Understanding and respecting arapaima behavior is important for safety, especially for fishermen, researchers, or tourists. Maintaining a respectful distance from these large fish is a primary precaution. Avoiding sudden movements or loud noises that might startle them, especially in shallow waters or during their spawning season when they may be guarding nests, can reduce the likelihood of a defensive reaction.
Fishermen targeting arapaima should exercise caution, as the fish can become agitated when hooked or handled. Using appropriate gear and being aware of their surroundings, especially when they surface to breathe, can help prevent unintended encounters. If an arapaima leaps near a boat, remaining calm and taking cover can mitigate the risk of injury. Recognizing their primary defense is size and power, not aggression, allows for safer coexistence with these Amazonian giants.