Arapaimidae
This family of osteoglossids, 'bony-tongued' fish has only a single Amazonian member, the well known Arapaima gigas. This is the largest scaled fish in the Amazon and can exceed 3 m in length. It grows fast, switching rapidly from feeding on invertebrates to fish. They nest on the margin of the forest as the water is rising: March - May. The young are protected by the male. While not endangered as a species, in many areas it is overfished and large specimens are much less frequently caught.
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Photograph of a group of Arapaima gigas
Osteoglossidae
This family of osteoglossids, 'bony-tongued' fish, holds 2 Amazonian species. The commonest is probably Osteoglossum bicirrhosum which lives throughout the floodplain even entering the forest at high water. Commonly called the arawana, this osteoglossid can reach more than a meter in length. It is a common species in many Amazonian waters often swimming close to the surface searching for small fish and insects. It moves with a snake-like motion and is surprisingly agile. On a varzea lake during the low water season they can be watched around sunset jumping clear from the water to catch flying insects.
It is often caught by subsistence fishermen and is good to eat. However, amazonians in general do not consider it a particularly good eating fish. It is considered rather tasteless, "good for the sick and old".
Osteoglossum ferreirai.
Commonly called the black arawana, this osteoglossid can reach more than a meter in length. It is probably less abundant than Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, with which it shares similar habits.
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Lateral view of an adult Osteoglossum bicirrhosum caught in a varzea lake
Close-up of the head of Osteoglossum bicirrhosum. Note the size of the eye and the characteristic 'draw-bridge' mouth. There are two barbels at the tip of the lower jaw
