Why Do Arapaima Breathe Air?

The arapaima is a massive yet sleek, streamlined freshwater fish native to the streams of the Amazon River basin. It can breathe air, allowing it to survive in pools with low water levels or decaying vegetation.

How many arapaima are left in the world?

Scientists aren't sure how many arapaimas are left but they think it is probably around 5,000 in the Essequibo, up from a low of around 800 in 2012. But just how many remain in each species is unknown, making the conservation status of some potentially dire.

How often do arapaima breathe?

To do this, they must surface every 10-20 minutes to breathe air, making a loud, distinctive gulp, which makes them easy targets for fishermen with harpoons (commonly eaten in their native range). They are very aggressive, even toward species of their own kind.