Gozer_1

I was just looking through some photos I took at the National Zoo last year. I don't recall their names but I thought someone might enjoy them. They are the biggest freshwater fish i have ever seen. Beyond enormous. Beatiful tail and weird shape. They live in the Amazon River.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my amazement.

Attached Images

	Hugefishamazonia.jpg (63.8 KB, 33 views)
	Hugefishamazoniahandref.jpg (56.8 KB, 22 views)

neverendingninja

Those are Arapaima. They can grow over 9 feet and weigh over 800lbs. They are tauted to be the world's largest freshwater predator. Beautiful animals, indeed.

Gozer_1

Bingo that's what they were called. So massive.

Dino

They have 3 in Chattanooga at the Tennessee Aquarium.
They are housed with pacu, as they are in your picture.

Gozer_1

Yeah, I thought the picture with the Pacu was good to reference the size of Pacu. Good to show people who want to buy one.

They had 3 in DC also, I believe. They look ancient and wise in their face. Very amazing creature.

King_Snuggles

800Lbs. now that is a lot of fish

neverendingninja

PetCo will probably sell you one(or six! They're a schooling fish, duh!) for a 29gal, though

COBettaCouple

lol.. true - after the 24 hours that make the tank ready for them.

Gozer_1

Those Pacu were almost as big as a 29 Gallon Tank.

sirdarksol

Naw, man, these guys will only get as big as the space you provide them, and, see, because they live in isolated pools off the Amazon river (well, one was found in one, so we presume that's how they live), they'll be fine in a bowl with no heat and no filtration. Tropical? No, I don't think the Amazon is tropical.

Sabi

Wow beautiful fish!

neverendingninja

So these will go good in my trashcan pond?

Coryd55

They have one of those at the Georgia Aquarium too. I hope I get to go before Jan 8th(School again). I am trying to convince my mom

Dino

I wish the drive was not so long that you guys could not make it up to Chattanooga.

Maybe we could work out meeting you there this summer?

MagpieTear

The face of those looks like something dreamed up by Industrial Light and Magic for a wise old monster who would give sage advice to the struggling young hero...

COBettaCouple

Thanks for setting me straight! I see it all now - Petco knows the secrets. I'm moving our fish into buckets of sand tommorrow. I bet that's even better than mud puddles! It's better than the ice fields of the Amazon, right?

Gozer_1

I want ten of these. 30 gallons will do it right? Actually I think I'll go 55 so I can have one of those red-tail catfish (Pirarara) in the back ground. They'll stay small at home right. (lol looks like a giant striped raphael cat)

Attached Images

blackPacu.jpg (70.6 KB, 11 views)

zigmeister

*makes note to keep feet out of the water the next time I'm floating down the Amazon on a raft* lol just joking... about floating on the Amazon... not keeping my feet out of the water...