Pirarucu
Arapaima gigas
Also known asArapaima · Paiche · Pirosca
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 20000 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 45% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.00% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.40% of body weight
- Max density
- 35 g per litre
A 100000 g adult eats about 1000.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~10000 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | restricted | CITES Appendix II; international trade requires permits verified 2026-05-13 |
| California | prohibited | verified 2026-05-13 |
| Florida | prohibited | FWC restricted species; possession requires permit verified 2026-05-13 |
| Arizona | prohibited | verified 2026-05-13 |
| Texas | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to the Amazon River basin, including floodplain lakes, oxbow lakes, and slow-moving river channels across Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Guyana. The species (Arapaima gigas) is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, reaching 2–3 m and over 200 kg. Pirarucu is an obligate air-breather that must surface every 10-20 minutes to gulp atmospheric air using a modified swim bladder that functions as a lung. This air-breathing makes it highly tolerant of low dissolved oxygen in the warm, stagnant floodplain waters it inhabits. The flesh is white, firm, boneless (the bones are large and easily removed), and mild-flavored, commanding premium prices in Brazilian markets ($10-20/kg). Wild pirarucu populations were severely overfished during the 20th century, and the species is CITES Appendix II listed. Managed community-based fishing programs and growing aquaculture production (primarily in Brazil and Peru) have stabilized some populations.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- tropical (needs warm water year-round)
- USDA zones
- 11–13 (winter low around 4°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- yes
- Cooling needed
- no
Care notes
A large-scale tropical aquaculture species, not suited to typical home aquaponics due to the enormous size of the fish. Pirarucu grow fast: 8–10 kg in the first year under good conditions, reaching 15–20 kg in 18-24 months. FCR on high-protein pellet (40-48% protein) is 1.3-1.8, excellent for a fish of this size. Temperature: 25–30°C year-round; below 20°C they stop feeding, below 15°C they die. The air-breathing adaptation means dissolved oxygen in the water is not a limiting factor, which is a genuine advantage in warm systems where oxygen saturation is naturally low. Stocking density: 10-20 g/L for grow-out, but each fish occupies substantial individual volume (a 10 kg fish in 500 L). Tank or pond size must be massive: 5,000 L for even a small group, and commercial ponds are typically 0.5-2 hectares. Pirarucu are predatory; they eat fish, crustaceans, and pellets. Mixed size classes are cannibalistic. The species is legally restricted in many countries due to CITES listing; international trade in live specimens requires permits. In Brazil, aquaculture is legal and growing rapidly, with several thousand tonnes produced annually. For tropical aquaponics at commercial scale in South America, pirarucu represents a premium product, but the size requirements make it impractical for most operators.