Armored Arapaima
by KJ Swan
Title
Armored Arapaima
Artist
KJ Swan
Medium
Photograph
Description
Like a prehistoric Hollywood monster, these carnivorous predators consume mammals, birds and most anything else which dares to enter the warm waters of the Amazon Basin.
Arapaima grow up to 9 feet long with tiny sharp teeth to stab and hold their prey. They use a very bony tongue to catch and swallow birds, fish, fruit, seeds, insects and small mammals.
Unfortunately, Arapaima has become a popular dish itself. Reputed as having delicious meat, many enjoy dining on it's tongue. The scales are used as jewelry. Now endangered, the Brazilian government has passed laws severally curtailing hunting and promoting commercial fish farming of Arapaima.
Uploaded
December 6th, 2018
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Comments (2)
Kay Brewer
The fish looks like it's made of rubber, and oh so harmless! But at 9 feet, I reckon we humans would be wise to avoid it, too. This is a very fine find and capture! l/f
KJ Swan replied:
Thank you Kay! - It may seem odd but Arapaimas are actually pretty harmless. They lack sharp teeth and have a gentle disposition.