Day #8 (1/15/2014) Arapaima
We packed up camp and headed to Brazil to find a large fish! After a plane ride, we dropped off our stuff and headed straight over to the Amazon River. It didn’t take us long to find the giant we were looking for; they stay near the surface! You see the Arapaima breathes air!
Their range and habitat: South America/ Amazon River
Their length/weight: 6-8 ft/200-400lbs Their status: unconfirmed
They are carnivores (fish, crustaceans)
- Arapaimas have long torpedo shaped bodies.
- They have large scales.
- Arapaimas’ fins are placed towards the back of their bodies.
- Arapaimas feed at the surface.
- They breathe at the surface air. Their swim bladder acts like a lung.
Watching the arapaimas all day wore us out! We had such fun on the boat. There are so many things to see in the Amazon River. We could spend weeks here! Thank goodness we packed our MUD bug repellant! The insects down here are nuts! Edmond spent his evening scratching his bum on a tree!
-Ellie and Edmond
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 