Arapaima

An extremely challenging fish to catch, the Arapaima is one of the most sought-after - yet most protected - species in the Amazon. Reaching lengths of over two meters, these unusual creatures have built up a wealth of myths and legends around them. Unusually, they need to come to the surface of the water to breathe air.

Arapaima fishing is strictly controlled in the Amazon basin, which is the fish's native habitat. However, they have been introduced into several lakes worldwide, including Thailand and Malaysia. Here, catch and release fishing for Arapaimas has become a major tourist attraction, and is a user-friendly way of coming close and personal to this freshwater giant.