The arawana is a freshwater fish found in the Amazon River tributaries and floodplain lakes of northern South America. It is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. This species can survive in the oxygen deficient swamps of the rainforest because it is an obligate breather, meaning it must breathe air to survive.

The arawana is a predatory fish that feeds on other fish, crustaceans and insects. The fish can use its mouth as a vertical trap to catch fish swimming above it and has been known to jump out of the water to catch low-flying insects. The male arawana can also use his mouth to hold fertilized eggs and newly hatched young.

• Its body is covered in scales that can reach 2.3 inches long.
• The arawana’s diet can boost its color. Live foods make it more vibrant and bright in color.
• The adult is a silver color, while juveniles have slight blue glints and a yellow-orange bar.
• Parents continue to guard their offspring for some time, including helping aerate the water.
• It has a bony or toothed tongue, a distinguishing characteristic of this group of fish.

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