Arapaima - Gigas Captive Bred

Arapaima gigas is among the largest freshwater fish on Earth, capable of exceeding 3m and 200kg in wild Amazonian floodplains. Captive-bred specimens from certified hatcheries are offered here, ensuring legal compliance and a fish better adapted to aquarium conditions than wild-caught individuals. It surfaces every few minutes to breathe air via a modified swim bladder and will drown if surface access is blocked. Juveniles grow extremely rapidly — over 30cm per year in optimal conditions — and must be planned for with facility-scale housing in mind. The captive-bred designation also contributes to conservation by reducing pressure on wild populations.

Water: 26-30°C, pH 6.0-7.5, moderate hardness; heavy-duty biological filtration; open surface access mandatory. Tank: Minimum 5000L for sub-adult; no obstructions near surface; strong flow with oxygenation. Feeding: Carnivore; whole large fish, prawns, beef heart; train onto high-protein sinking pellets early. Breeding: Biparental nest guarders; not feasible in home aquaria; requires hatchery-scale facilities. Compatibility: Solo only; will consume any fish or animal it can overpower; apex predator at all life stages.