From biggest to smallest, a few of these impressive fish include:
ArapaimaTambaquiPiraíba
Biggest does not always translate to weight. Some of these big boys grow very large in size but don’t weigh as much as other, more dense, fish. We will focus on both weight and size and make educated decisions on who ends up where on our list. Many of these fish are monstrous in both size and temperament. They hunt other fish and are masters of the waters through which they roam. Let’s start off with the best-known fish of them all, and then flow through to other, lesser-known fish.
Arapaima
Overfishing is a threat to these beautiful creatures because they breathe air and have to surface frequently. Their large size makes them easy to spot and then potentially catch. Classifying them as vulnerable is difficult though because it is hard to take a proper census of their population due to where they are located. Studies have shown though that they are definitely overfished and populations have depleted by more than 93%. The arapaima can grow up to 440 lbs and to a length of eight feet. They have hard, armored scales to protect them from predators, though that means nothing to the right angler. A study in Advanced Engineering Materials shows that piranhas and arapaima have a rich history of coexisting because piranha teeth cannot penetrate the arapaima scales. The best way to catch these giant fish is with nets or harpoons. When fishing for catch-and-release, they have to be held for around five minutes before being released to make sure they have taken the necessary breaths. Arapaima have large blood vessels along their spine that can easily be ruptured so have to be handled with care before being released.
Tambaqui
At first, the tambaqui looks similar to a piranha, but they grow much larger and have a deeply rounded head. The similar expression can have one jumping in alarm though if a smaller tambaqui is reeled in. They come in mostly green that tapers to a gray belly. A fascinating fact about the tambaqui is that they have strong molar teeth to help them consume fruits, seeds, and nuts, which make up most of their diet. They thrive in many freshwaters but are prone to migrating toward areas with flooded forests to find the food they need. They are also able to survive in waters with low oxygen levels.
Piraíba
The piraíba is among the biggest catfish in the world. It can grow up to ten feet and weigh in at 330 lbs. That would be enough for a whole catfish fry up, that’s for sure. Their bodies are saturated in taste buds which is how they sense prey, through chemicals they taste in the water. This fish is more light gray in color with white spots and stains along its scales. The belly is a stark white and they have large shark-like dorsal fins. This giant catfish eats other fish for the vast majority of its diet, though some have been known to end up consuming monkeys as well if they stray too near to the water. Other animals like dogs, cats, and even other catfish have been found inside of them when caught. They are picky eaters and “taste” their prey before deciding whether or not to eat them. Also known as the goliath catfish, piraíba really is the prize for many anglers because of how large it gets and how aggressive it can be. It migrates more than 2500 miles to find the perfect place to lay its eggs.
