The Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) is one of the world's largest freshwater fish. It is endemic to the Amazon River and its tributaries. It is a predatory fish attaining lengths of 450 cm (14.7 feet). This species comprises an important fishery for communities in and along the Amazon. Pirarucu are over fished and much speculation about the future of the fishery exists. The meat of this fish is considered a delicacy. Overexploitation of Amazonian fisheries is a critically important issue to the communities of humans in and along the Amazon River. Many of the fisheries are stressed and over harvest is commonplace. There is a growing industry culturing this species and many farms now exist along the Amazon. Photographed in Iquitos, Peru, 2018. These fishes can breathe in poorly oxygenated waters because they have a modified gas bladder which is used as a primitive lung. The gas bladder runs most of the length of the fish. This image depicts the tops of the teeth in an adult Arapaima's mouth | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Fenolio, Dante |
Taille de l’image : | 6000 px × 4000 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |