Arapaima Gigas Alliance

[fire999]

Hi bros/sis out there,

Thought I started a thread for all you Arapaima fans out there.

Renowned to be the KING of Freshwater fishes in the Amazonian regions, this species is capable of growing up to 12 feet in length. With their bony-tongue, the Arapaima crushes their prey in an instant, sucking them down with a loud pop. Known to be great jumpers, these gigantic creatures have the ability to swallow birds and possibly small animals.

So how many of you have / had / will rear Arapaima(s)?

--> I recently was lucky enough to have gotten 3 arapaimas in a fgt tank but one of them have since passed away due to internal bateria infection caused by feeder fishes (diet).

Since then, an 18 inch Arapaima took over the place of the now-deceased juvenile arapaima and are living in harmony with the other 2 (at half the length). They have a voracious appetite and can eat up to 30-50 feeder kois or goldfishes a day. Growth rate have been rather rapid for all 3 of them and I am expecting them to grow out of their current environment in about 2-3 years.

There you go....my current Arapaima experience.

Please feel free to share your Arapaima sagas here.

Peace,
fire999

[Gamble]

Hi bros/sis out there,

Thought I started a thread for all you Arapaima fans out there.

Renowned to be the KING of Freshwater fishes in the Amazonian regions, this species is capable of growing up to 12 feet in length. With their bony-tongue, the Arapaima crushes their prey in an instant, sucking them down with a loud pop. Known to be great jumpers, these gigantic creatures have the ability to swallow birds and possibly small animals.

So how many of you have / had / will rear Arapaima(s)?

--> I recently was lucky enough to have gotten 3 arapaimas in a fgt tank but one of them have since passed away due to internal bateria infection caused by feeder fishes (diet).

Since then, an 18 inch Arapaima took over the place of the now-deceased juvenile arapaima and are living in harmony with the other 2 (at half the length). They have a voracious appetite and can eat up to 30-50 feeder kois or goldfishes a day. Growth rate have been rather rapid for all 3 of them and I am expecting them to grow out of their current environment in about 2-3 years.

There you go....my current Arapaima experience.

Please feel free to share your Arapaima sagas here.

Peace,
fire999

some pics would be nice bro.. :drool:

[rayman45]

whats ur tank

[The TRUST]

I have no arapaimas......yet :D
but can I join anyways? :D

[kit]

I think they are the coolest (after CR or Xback). I'll get a couple next time ....

Tim

[kit]

I think they are the coolest (after CR or Xback). I'll get a couple next time ....

Tim

[nick]

yea the breeding males are cool but the females look like a big turd , african aro or jardini for me

[guesswho2005]

Looking to purchase some rays. Do you think a Arapaima would make a good match. Looking to make up a large Amazon tank.....Dream - 144LX60WX32 to 36T.

[katfishguy]

I currently have 3 arapaimas all about 6",, eating like crazy !! can't wait for them to grow bigger :headbang2

[piranha45]

don't feed them just koi and goldfish! feed them healthy stuff so disease/thiamin deficiency doesnt happen a 2nd time.

[rayman45]

I have no arapaimas......yet :D
but can I join anyways? :D
me2

[Jaeger]

Man I would LOVE to get one these babies...

Count me in :grinyes:

If I can ever afford an outdoor pond, these babies will definitely make it to the list!!

[exoticfishguy]

Who has the biggest one here?

[marshy]

Without a pond.. how do you guys plan to keep an Arapaima in a tank?

[piranha45]

well, some ppl seem to keep them in 500gs easily enough... who cares if a fish actually has room to move, right? :\

[viper]

YOU SHOULD TRY TO FEED THEM LARGE PIECES OF MARKET FISH AND LARGE SHRIMP.I WOULD ALWAYS FEED MY ARO LARGE PIECES OF FISH WITH TONGS AND THEY LOVED IT PLUS WOULD SAVE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY FEEDERS ARE NOT GOOD FOR ANY FISH I EVEN HAVE MY ATF AND GAR EATING MARKET FROZEN FOOD

[buddah101]

Not too recently, about 1998, I went on a fishing trip to S/A and went fishing for peacock bass and seen an Arapaima try for a small nosey monkey on a low branch. It overshot the branch and the guide started a hollerin' "MoNkEy FiSh!!" I knew what it was but this was definately not an arowanna AKA: monkeyfish. We did end up catching an arowanna that day but it wasnt that impressive and had alot of scales missing. I didn't see an Oscar the whole trip..bummer but I did see the biggest black rohm in my whole life though! It was on the Orinoco river. stinky mudddy place, it should be called. I only have 35mm shots of the trip. I don't have a scanner though.

[iheartfishies]

Then go buy one.:)

Or I'll send you money to do so.

[WckedMidas]

what it cost for you to go down on your trip if you dont mind me asking. and who did u line it up threw

[notatus]

Biggest i have is about 24 inches. They are definately gentle giants. I have them with much smaller fish and they never bother them.

[guesswho2005]

I live in Alaska do not know of any import restrictions. Any one know where you can purchase one or two?????

[dirtydan]

I just picked one up today i thinks its the coolest monster fish out there

[rayman45]

;)

[guppy]

I was given a tiny one about 8" long in 1983 by someone who was getting rid of her tanks, came with a 150g. When I found out what it was I trade it for some clown loache, 3 pike cichlids, and a 35g show tank.

[freeform]

i'm goona get my arapaima next month once my FGT is ready. :headbang2

[Tigrinus]

been there, done that, killed them.

Maybe another time...they are one of my favorites though.

[Arapaimaman]

i HAVE KEEPED ARAPAIMA'S FORE OVER 20 YEARS.I BUILT A 1500 GAL.TANK THAT I THOUGH THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF! BOY I WAS WRONG! I LOST MY BIGGIST ONE.HE WAS OVER 5 FT.LONG&50LBS.HE JUMP THROUGH WOOD ,MESH WIRE,AND 1/4"PLEXIGLASS AND LANDED ON 11/2"SCD.40 PLASTIC PIPE THAT BROKE AND PUMP ALL THE WATER OUT.I AM GETTING A BID FORE A TANK THAT IS 15,OOO GAL.I AM GOING TO BUILD A HOUSE AROUND IT.I HAVE BOUGHT THE LAND IN FLORIDA AND I WILL MOVE FROM O.C.CALIF.

[AmazonPredator]

Before I had my head examined I bought a young arapaima about two years ago. It was about 12'' long and would only eat feeders. It did great for awhile but then I realized I was being completely unrealistic and sold him. It was a cool fish while I had it, though. A few month later I bought a baby about 6'' or so and put it in with a silver arowana the same size. Needless to say they lived in harmony for about 3 days until the arapaima got the crap kicked out of it and went belly up. :cry:

[viciouspisces]

i HAVE KEEPED ARAPAIMA'S FORE OVER 20 YEARS.I BUILT A 1500 GAL.TANK THAT I THOUGH THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF! BOY I WAS WRONG! I LOST MY BIGGIST ONE.HE WAS OVER 5 FT.LONG&50LBS.HE JUMP THROUGH WOOD ,MESH WIRE,AND 1/4"PLEXIGLASS AND LANDED ON 11/2"SCD.40 PLASTIC PIPE THAT BROKE AND PUMP ALL THE WATER OUT.I AM GETTING A BID FORE A TANK THAT IS 15,OOO GAL.I AM GOING TO BUILD A HOUSE AROUND IT.I HAVE BOUGHT THE LAND IN FLORIDA AND I WILL MOVE FROM O.C.CALIF.
:eek: wow ! what an experience that musta been.Lol....I can only imagine trying to move one of those monsters to upgrade tanks or something .I feel like such a wimp now cause i used to have to drink like a beer or two to get the nerve to move my former 22" silver aro :redface: Im an arapima fan even tho ive never seen one in person and most likely will never own one (one can dream and drool though :arapaimag :headbang2 )

[RockyGoldy]

From the rate mine's eating...it would be outgrowing my tank very very soon...

:(

[zhuangsw]

From the rate mine's eating...it would be outgrowing my tank very very soon...

:(

haha, how many of them u got bro?

and where can we buy them over in our land? at what price? (our currency)

[sgland]

haha, how many of them u got bro?

and where can we buy them over in our land? at what price? (our currency)
i think he got 1 from the look of his video, but i could be wrong

[aapl76]

i think he got 1 from the look of his video, but i could be wrong

you are not wrong...he has one indeed.... ;)

[RockyGoldy]

haha, how many of them u got bro?

and where can we buy them over in our land? at what price? (our currency)

I have only got 1 dude..(and its enuff to eat me poor!!!)...

The last time i saw some for sale is at JE217...going for $89.

[sgland]

does arap has sub-families??? like aro has red,rtc, green.... sh has dwarf, cobra, giant???

[JDrojas]

nice article

[redtailfool]

been there, done that, killed them.

Maybe another time...they are one of my favorites though.


nice pic! i would get one after i upgrade to a 55 gallon.





































kidding about the 55 gallon. :grinyes:

[RockyGoldy]

does arap has sub-families??? like aro has red,rtc, green.... sh has dwarf, cobra, giant???

The closest cousin to the gigan is the african aro.

[joshksy]

Haha :headbang2 Used to keep 1 but it was eaten up by some other fishes as it's was still small.

Nvm, I bought another 1 about 8" long.
Everything went smoothly till I thought that the fella will break the glass of my 4ft tank. It grew to about 2ft when I decided to let my friend keep it as he has a 5ft fibre tub. The best thing is, it started to eat pellets after some starving. :thumbsup:

Till now, I still think that they are onw of the collest fish to keep if you have to money and space to keep it. They REALLY eat a lot!!!

[Ronin]

Those are one of my favorite fish. I was going to pick one up but they are really expensive.

[mon]

post some pics please...

[Loubard]

i HAVE KEEPED ARAPAIMA'S FORE OVER 20 YEARS.I BUILT A 1500 GAL.TANK THAT I THOUGH THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF! BOY I WAS WRONG! I LOST MY BIGGIST ONE.HE WAS OVER 5 FT.LONG&50LBS.HE JUMP THROUGH WOOD ,MESH WIRE,AND 1/4"PLEXIGLASS AND LANDED ON 11/2"SCD.40 PLASTIC PIPE THAT BROKE AND PUMP ALL THE WATER OUT.I AM GETTING A BID FORE A TANK THAT IS 15,OOO GAL.I AM GOING TO BUILD A HOUSE AROUND IT.I HAVE BOUGHT THE LAND IN FLORIDA AND I WILL MOVE FROM O.C.CALIF.

Do you happen to have some pictures laying around to show to MKF? That thing must have been super strong!

[KurseD]

i have a pic of a huge gigas in my gallery (not sure how to post a pic yet), it was in a zoo in japan. thing was at least 10-12ft. didn't know what it was at the time.

[Zoodiver]

I got two yesterday for the zoo. Took six months and a ton of paper work to do it legally. (Since they are protected by CITES).

Like I said in another thread, I've had several 10' plus adults to care for. By far my favorite freshwater fish. Can't wait to see this pair grow up.

[dialphantom]

i want 1 of those so bad but ive never seen em for sale

[sandtiger]

I like arapaima gigas SOOOO much that I think their sale should be banned and left in the wild. Knowone can properly house one of the worlds largest freshwater fish. I think the people here that got them or are going to get them need a reminder of what they are dealing with...
http://www.petsforum.com/aquageo/Posters/images/E05012.jpg

[shoefreak03]

regardless of how amazing these fishes are, how can one ever feel like they can house a fish that can grow more than 5ft in length? i am reluctant to even get a tsn catfish since it can grow 3 plus feet.

everytime i see these are lfs, i am always tempted but know in the long run will not be able to house this fish.

[warren126]

I would love to get one but they want like $400 for him my lady would kill me if she know I paid that much for one I saw one at the Tennessee Aquarium he was like 7 feet long that was a monster

[arapaimag]

Hey that is fantastic?

I also just bought 3 at that size and hope to raise them also

[arapaimag]

Great to see that you have 2 tigrinus catfish. I wish you the best that you can get them to full size. I found they really like a strong current in their tank.

[hardb0iled]

I dont have a problem with people wanting to own such fish(be it exceptionally large or endangered etc.), but you should have to go through a rigorous licensing and testing procedure in order to legally own one. This will then weed out those that are serious about keeping the fish and are prepared to supply the room and resources to keep it, and those that just want one!

People that are serious will be prepared to go through the process and wont have a problem with it, those that arent wont be bothered.

[Loubard]

Here's your picture Pat McGee :http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=2/medium/gigaspirarucu1.jpg

Sweeeet! :woot:

[sandtiger]

Awsome, what the hell is that large catfish thing underneath him? Look how tiny the plecs look :)...it would be funny if they sucked on the arapaima like remoras do to sharks.

[Zoodiver]

I've seen some try, but the gigas don't take to it too well. Usually give a quick kick and their gone.

[shoefreak03]

i like it when they have shades of red on them.

[gold ocean aqua]

Albino arapaima are real nice....

Regards

[Zoodiver]

but you should have to go through a rigorous licensing and testing procedure in order to legally own one. This will then weed out those that are serious about keeping the fish and are prepared to supply the room and resources to keep it, and those that just want one!

People that are serious will be prepared to go through the process and wont have a problem with it, those that arent wont be bothered.


They are a protected species, and you should have the correct paperwork in the US if you keep them. I agree that very few people have teh resources to properly keep these guys.

[T1KARMANN]

most of you guys are taking the piss saying you want to get a gig

DO YOU REALY EVER THINK YOU WILL GET A TANK BIG ENOUGHT FOR THEM

then you get the realy smart guys saying they just go 2 or 3

everyone who buys them is just taking another one from the wild and killing it

and they get to 10ft+ not 4ft

it makes me sick when people even think of getting a gig as most people cant even get a big enought tank for a RTC how the hell do you think you can take care of a gig

this fish should be left in the wild were it belongs

[rayman45]

i got 12 of them in my 55G

[Zoodiver]

You're kidding right? :eek:

[rayman45]

i kid you not

[warren126]

they are monsters

[T1KARMANN]

i got 12 of them in my 55G

thats 12 more dead then

[arapaimag]

I got two yesterday for the zoo. Took six months and a ton of paper work to do it legally. (Since they are protected by CITES).

Like I said in another thread, I've had several 10' plus adults to care for. By far my favorite freshwater fish. Can't wait to see this pair grow up.
How big are the 2 that you just purchased for the zoo?

[Miles]

I just got to see a pair of 6 footers in person, amazing fish indeed.

Enjoy, Vids coming.

[Apocalypse]

Thanks for the pics, Miles. :headbang2

[T1KARMANN]

nice little baby its only half size :D

[rumblesushi]

ray is hands down the funniest poster here :D

[Zoodiver]

Here's one I dug up last night. It's me in with some of the display animals at the Dallas World Aquarium. (It's still not a full size adult.)

[fishy]

big ass freaking fish. i was at moody garden in galveston, TX and they have a couple in their outside display. the biggest one was about 6' i believe. somehow a poor duck from the next display got out and into the tank where the gigs are at. To make the story short all I saw was alot of splashes and the duck gone.

[Zoodiver]

Moody has a very shallow display which prevents them from jumping too much and pulling the birds in. But anything that hits the surface is fair game. The ones at DWA did fairly well with a bunch of ducks and misc geese and swans on the surface.

[arapaimag]

Hello Zoodiver-matt,

How big are the young arapaimas you got for the zoo? What size aquarium have you put them in? What are you feeding them?

[Zoodiver]

I picked up a pair from Southland Aquatics. They were about 12" or so at the time, but have grown considerably since then. I've got a 1 meter deep 750 gallon rearing pool for them until the display pool is finished in a month or so. The display is roughly 20,000 gallons. If I had been employed here when it was designed, I would have pushed for something far larger. I know both won't be able to fit, and already have another zoo who is willing to take the second fish when they out grow their space together.

Juv. arapaima do well on live food. I'm giving them a few different minnow species at this point. Once they are older, I'll switch them over to thawed fish. I'd estimate each fish eats between 20 and 30 1" minnows daily. Both are very active, but one is much more interested in people than the other.

[arapaimag]

Thank you for the reply. I am a hobbyist and have had 2 ara's in the past. The first jumped out over 20 years ago. So over the next 15 years I saved and I built 2 large tanks for my future ara and other biggies . I had a problem with the 2nd ara due to a black shark in the tank that harassed the ara inflicting many bites and eventually killing the ara from stress. The shark is only 2 feet long. The ara was 5'5" (126 lbs) and just under 4 yrs when it died. The ara was eating about 150 to 200 lbs of fish a month at that point (Mackeral, freshwater white fish, smelts, shrimps and unlimited african and central american cichlids). The estimate of 150 to 200 lbs was just the fish I bouht each month from a grocery seafood wholesaler.
The tanks I built are 15K and 50K+, The 3 young ones I bought a month ago have grown from 6" to 12" mainly on freshwater smelts, feeders(that I bred and raised myself to avoid disease) and shrimps (the cocktail type). They may have taken a few pellets as well. They are in a 180 gal. aquarium now. 50% water changes every 4 days. They are in with a megalops Irwini (17") 4 10 " goldfish to teach them to eat pellets and 2 baby motoro stingray pups I bred (7-8"). I was planning on moving them to a 800 gal tank when they are about 16". THe tank has a motoro female in it about 20" wide, 2 cuban gars about15", 1 red tail asian catfish about 14".
After the 800 experience, I am thinking of moving the aras to the 15K (L shaped 28x18x6 deep), but you know have me worried that it will be too small, and perhaps I will have to try them in the 50K (L shaped 36x27x9 deep). The shark is still in that tank, I can't catch the shark due to the lava rock reefs I put in the tank (28,000lbs of lava rock).

What would you recommend in diet and future tank moves?

[KurseD]

i've been a fan of the gigas since the first time i saw on in a zoo acouple of years ago. i pretty sure i'll never have the funds to purchase one, house one, or get all the paperwork done to own one. the monster still facinates me though, can anyone tell me there temperement? are they territorial? aggressive? i know there carnivorous, i've heard that they can grow up to 15' in the wild, and i've seen one up in person that was atleast 10ft. what is the largest gigas ever found? love all the pics you guys have posted, anyone have a pic of an albino? or full red?

[KurseD]

heh, weird. was writting up my post about the gigas. i had animal planet on in the background on tv, the jeff corwin experience was showing and guess what they were talking about? the pirarucu (a. gigas)!!!! they caught 2 of them with a huge blue tarp and 2 poles (took like 9 ppl to catch one) anyways, just wanted to share some info i got from the show. the gigas mainly eats bonycatfish in the wild, using there bonecrushing mouth (even there tongue is armor plated) to smash there prey. males tend to be more colorful then females, but the female tend to me alot wider. they have a something bladder or organ that allows them to breath oxygen for short amounts of time. man, wish they focused more on the gigas, the went on to snakes. anyways, just though i'd share this info.

[zhuangsw]

heh, weird. was writting up my post about the gigas. i had animal planet on in the background on tv, the jeff corwin experience was showing and guess what they were talking about? the pirarucu (a. gigas)!!!! they caught 2 of them with a huge blue tarp and 2 poles (took like 9 ppl to catch one) anyways, just wanted to share some info i got from the show. the gigas mainly eats bonycatfish in the wild, using there bonecrushing mouth (even there tongue is armor plated) to smash there prey. males tend to be more colorful then females, but the female tend to me alot wider. they have a something bladder or organ that allows them to breath oxygen for short amounts of time. man, wish they focused more on the gigas, the went on to snakes. anyways, just though i'd share this info.


thanks for sharing man, i learnt something new from your post, the part about them being able to eat bony catfish and having amour plated tongue! :eek:

ya man, i wish there are more documentry about monster fishes, rather then the usual reptile like crocs' and snakes. haha

[T1KARMANN]

Thank you for the reply. I am a hobbyist and have had 2 ara's in the past. The first jumped out over 20 years ago. So over the next 15 years I saved and I built 2 large tanks for my future ara and other biggies . I had a problem with the 2nd ara due to a black shark in the tank that harassed the ara inflicting many bites and eventually killing the ara from stress. The shark is only 2 feet long. The ara was 5'5" (126 lbs) and just under 4 yrs when it died. The ara was eating about 150 to 200 lbs of fish a month at that point (Mackeral, freshwater white fish, smelts, shrimps and unlimited african and central american cichlids). The estimate of 150 to 200 lbs was just the fish I bouht each month from a grocery seafood wholesaler.
The tanks I built are 15K and 50K+, The 3 young ones I bought a month ago have grown from 6" to 12" mainly on freshwater smelts, feeders(that I bred and raised myself to avoid disease) and shrimps (the cocktail type). They may have taken a few pellets as well. They are in a 180 gal. aquarium now. 50% water changes every 4 days. They are in with a megalops Irwini (17") 4 10 " goldfish to teach them to eat pellets and 2 baby motoro stingray pups I bred (7-8"). I was planning on moving them to a 800 gal tank when they are about 16". THe tank has a motoro female in it about 20" wide, 2 cuban gars about15", 1 red tail asian catfish about 14".
After the 800 experience, I am thinking of moving the aras to the 15K (L shaped 28x18x6 deep), but you know have me worried that it will be too small, and perhaps I will have to try them in the 50K (L shaped 36x27x9 deep). The shark is still in that tank, I can't catch the shark due to the lava rock reefs I put in the tank (28,000lbs of lava rock).

What would you recommend in diet and future tank moves?

wow that tank sounds so swwet its not funny you know we need pics of all your tanks :)

[T1KARMANN]

thanks for sharing man, i learnt something new from your post, the part about them being able to eat bony catfish and having amour plated tongue! :eek:

ya man, i wish there are more documentry about monster fishes, rather then the usual reptile like crocs' and snakes. haha

they have the same type of tougne as arowana mmmmm thats why they are called boneytounge :D

[arapaimag]

Pictures probably in about 2 weeks

[Zoodiver]

What would you recommend in diet and future tank moves?

As funny as this may sound 50K will turn out to be just enough for three adult arapiama. I've seen up to 8 do well together 200K, but even then there were some issues that arose.

Moving them will be harder as they grow larger. I'd get them in the destination pool as soon as you can. Even though they may be less visually impressive, it's alot better for them to grow up in that type of situation. For moving a larger animal, I'd recommend a canvas stretcher at least two feet longer than the animal. When moving meduim to large arapaima (anything over 2 meters) I've always slowed them down with a drug dose. The trick is getting the animal in the stretcher while in the water, then lifting it up and out. Avoid using any type of net or mesh. They seem to react poorly to them. Nets tend to do more damage to the slime coat and scales than using a canvas or tarp to hold the animal. As far as acclimation, do several water changes in the current tank with water from the new location the day of the move. It's by far the easiest way to do it. I'll see if I can dig out some pictures of when we moved a 3 meter arapaima to show you what it looks like.

[peanut]

send some pics please

[Zoodiver]

I couldn't find the disc I had, but I emailed a friend who was there. I was told she would email them to me. As soon as I get them, I'll post them for you guys.

[Arapaimaman]

On my last post I said I was going to get a 15,000gal.tank built.It is down to a 11,700gal.tank.I just placed the order yesterday.It's great that soo many people have bought arapaima's.Once my tank is raedy to put arapaima's in it I will place a add for the biggist one's.Somebody ask if ray's could be put in with the Gigas?In the wild they are a food sourse for them.One time I was fishing in the Amazon and I caught a moto ray and I hand carried it back home and I put it in my 1,500 gal.tank.It was doing great for about 2 months.All three of my pima's were over 3ft.One night I was watching the them and one of my pima's dove from the top of the water and swallowed the rays tail.It shook the ray as it swam up to the top of the water,and then he spit the ray out of his mouth.The ray floated up sidedown to the bottem of the tank .It was dead.I"m sorry this thread is so long.I can write pages all day long.Let me know if you want me to.


Pat McGee

[arapaimag]

Great that you are getting a big tank and pimas again. Will your tank be acrylic? what are the dimensions? I had a 42 inch tiger shovelnose eat a 14" motoro in my 50k+ about 6 years ago. The ray had been in the tank over 1 year when it happened. I had a 28" arrowana taken by one of my planiceps (50"). The tank is 108" deep. I saw the planiceps on his way back to the bottom with the wana in his mouth, and nothing I could do.

[Zoodiver]

Once my tank is raedy to put arapaima's in it I will place a add for the biggist one's.

Pat McGee

What do you mean? 15,000 gallons isn't big enough for a large gigas.

I've kept lots of rays with gigas and had no issues at all. Just keep you gigas fed. Catfish are a far greater threat to them. The only time a gigas should be on the bottom is while it is at rest....not a threat. They are mid to upper column feeders and won't search the bottom unless they are underfed.

[arapaimag]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8952

[Zoodiver]

Wow, that is an amazing set up for a private owner. I'm very imnpressed. I wish I could see it in person!

[kentobizmol]

i have a pic of a huge gigas in my gallery (not sure how to post a pic yet), it was in a zoo in japan. thing was at least 10-12ft. didn't know what it was at the time.

did you see them at sunshine international aquarium?

[kentobizmol]

all the aquariums in japan have pirarucus.

there are many of private owners also.

[ashdavid]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8952



Would you mind telling how you filter your tank? I am now designing a big tank and I would like to know how you went about filtering and flow rates ect,ect,ect. I have a few ideas and my 1850g is ment to be a test tank for my new one, but I am always lookingt for ideas. Thanks.

[arapaimag]

I don't have a super filter system. In my 50k+ and my 15k I only use 600lb sand filters in each one. I have 28,000lbs of lava rock in the larger tank which acts as a natural filter. I have one high pressure air outlets in both tanks.

I do 10,000 gallon water changes weekly in the big tank and about 4,000 gallon water changes on the smaller one.

I live in the country so I use my wells.

[Zoodiver]

Pool style sand filters work well for running on larger volume tanks. Check out the stuff aquatic ecosystems has to offer. www.aquaticeco.com

[arapaimag]

Pool style sand filters work well for running on larger volume tanks. Check out the stuff aquatic ecosystems has to offer. www.aquaticeco.com

Matt How big are your pemas now? What are you now feeding them?

[benzjamin13]

Arapaimas are definately one badd @$$ fish. I wish I had the funds and space to house them. I was in Thailand a couple of years ago visiting family and in their mall, they had a pond that had 6 or 7 Arapaimas. It was awsome :headbang2

[benzjamin13]

Sorry...I forgot this picture as well :headbang2

[benzjamin13]

Hope you enjoy them :D

[arapaimag]

Hope you enjoy them :D

I really did. What great pictures thanks

[arapaimag]

Hello zoodiver,


How are your pemas doing at the aquarium? How big are they now?

[Zoodiver]

Haha, they are still 'small'. Of course that is relative. :D I will say that if they don't go on display soon, they will out grow the 750g holding. They are quickly eating 4" minnows, I fear for exhibit mates.....but I warned the bosses about that before we got them. I also fear for little kids. The open top of the display is alot closer to the public than they had lead me to believe. Close enough to pet them from the public walkway. :screwy:


Last weekend the filters were finished up for the exhibit and we are currently filling, running and dumping the entire thing as much as we can. I'd like to fill and dump several times to flush all the paint toxins and construction debris out of the system before filling with RO water. We have three ozone machines going, a small army of sand filters and all the other stuff ready. I still have to fine tune the flow. There are two suction points (over flow skimmer and bottom drain). I have to figure out valve settings to get enough over the skimmer without flooding the zoo. I'll take some more pictures and put them in the zoo thread I started in 'Gen Aquaria'.

[Nic]

i would love to have a few arapaimas but i know i will never be able to house them for life so ill stick to pictures and public aquariums

[arapaimag]

Thanks for the detailed info you gave. Mine are growing the biggest is over 18" and the smallest is about 16"+. They still will not take pellets or krill. Only one will take shrimp. They all eat thawed smelt, mackeral and white fish. I noticed the 2 cuban gars in the tank have really started to swim a lot more and a lot faster with the three pemas in the tank (800g). I am still not force feeding for growth because I want the to all be about 30" when I move them in July to either the 50k+ (If SimonL can catch that black shark (Morulius chrysophekadion))
or the 15k if he can't. If they go in the 15K I will have to move about a dozen brycons (Brycon brevicauda + Brycon falcatus)out (20 to 24") and maybe a few of the barbs also 24"(Leptobarbus hoeveni).

[arapaimag]

On my last post I said I was going to get a 15,000gal.tank built.It is down to a 11,700gal.tank.I just placed the order yesterday.It's great that soo many people have bought arapaima's.Once my tank is raedy to put arapaima's in it I will place a add for the biggist one's.Somebody ask if ray's could be put in with the Gigas?In the wild they are a food sourse for them.One time I was fishing in the Amazon and I caught a moto ray and I hand carried it back home and I put it in my 1,500 gal.tank.It was doing great for about 2 months.All three of my pima's were over 3ft.One night I was watching the them and one of my pima's dove from the top of the water and swallowed the rays tail.It shook the ray as it swam up to the top of the water,and then he spit the ray out of his mouth.The ray floated up sidedown to the bottem of the tank .It was dead.I"m sorry this thread is so long.I can write pages all day long.Let me know if you want me to.


Pat McGee


Pat how is your new tank coming I can't wait to see your pictures and your pemas swimming in it :woot:

[arapaimag]

Hey guys did your pemas ea

[flyrt]

I had a 24' arapaima. I sold it to a local fish store. He told me it jumped outof his 180g tank and died the same night. What a waste! He didnt put a weight on the cover.

[flyrt]

correction 24"

[zix]

i just read in a fish magazine that the brasil police just cath a boat whit 2000
dead gigas and 1600 crocs (jacare azu) to be sold in fish market ,
about 20000 kilos ,
at a waste , the boat was arrested and a big fine was to be set to the crew :(

[gomezladdams]

Id love to keep one of these Ive never even seen one except for here

[rottbo]

i want to buy a couple but i dont have enough room for them yet

[rottbo]

omaha zoo has acouple 10' AG i will take photo next time i go

[Zoodiver]

omaha zoo has acouple 10' AG i will take photo next time i go


Say 'hi' to the aquarists there for me. I know alot of them. Some of the bird staff too.

[arapaimag]

i HAVE KEEPED ARAPAIMA'S FORE OVER 20 YEARS.I BUILT A 1500 GAL.TANK THAT I THOUGH THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF! BOY I WAS WRONG! I LOST MY BIGGIST ONE.HE WAS OVER 5 FT.LONG&50LBS.HE JUMP THROUGH WOOD ,MESH WIRE,AND 1/4"PLEXIGLASS AND LANDED ON 11/2"SCD.40 PLASTIC PIPE THAT BROKE AND PUMP ALL THE WATER OUT.I AM GETTING A BID FORE A TANK THAT IS 15,OOO GAL.I AM GOING TO BUILD A HOUSE AROUND IT.I HAVE BOUGHT THE LAND IN FLORIDA AND I WILL MOVE FROM O.C.CALIF.

Whats the update on your new tank and fish?

[Zoodiver]

Good question.

[arapaimag]

Does anybody except John (2400 gallon tank) and Zookeeper keep live Arapaima Gigas?

[kriztu]

i HAVE KEEPED ARAPAIMA'S FORE OVER 20 YEARS.I BUILT A 1500 GAL.TANK THAT I THOUGH THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF! BOY I WAS WRONG! I LOST MY BIGGIST ONE.HE WAS OVER 5 FT.LONG&50LBS.HE JUMP THROUGH WOOD ,MESH WIRE,AND 1/4"PLEXIGLASS AND LANDED ON 11/2"SCD.40 PLASTIC PIPE THAT BROKE AND PUMP ALL THE WATER OUT.I AM GETTING A BID FORE A TANK THAT IS 15,OOO GAL.I AM GOING TO BUILD A HOUSE AROUND IT.I HAVE BOUGHT THE LAND IN FLORIDA AND I WILL MOVE FROM O.C.CALIF.

cool....:drool:

[arapaimag]

Anybody with any Arapaima's????????????????:grinno:

[arapaimag]

Any body out there with Arapaima ???????????

[Lan]

:iagree:

[johnptc]

:iagree:

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree:

[arapaimag]

Here are my babies

[arapaimag]

They are 17 months old and about 40 inches.

[johnptc]

They are 17 months old and about 40 inches.

beautiful !!!

what tank are they in ??? pics ??

thanks

[arapaimag]

beautiful !!!

what tank are they in ??? pics ??

thanks

They are my babies I mentioned to you about in nov/dec 2005. I got them at about 6 inches long 17 months ago. I put them in a 180 to start, then a 800 and then straight to the 52k. Neoprodigy has video of them in the tank and is putting an article together.

They are about 40 inches long now.



by the way John your arapaima is magnificent and truly is the king of MFK

[johnptc]

They are my babies I mentioned to you about in nov/dec 2005. I got them at about 6 inches long 17 months ago. I put them in a 180 to start, then a 800 and then straight to the 52k. Neoprodigy has video of them in the tank and is putting an article together.

They are about 40 inches long now.



by the way John your arapaima is magnificent and truly is the king of MFK

they are great and in the super tank will be very happy.

whart are you feeding ???

i feed a mix of hikari foods in the am and usually smelt shrimp or occasional salmon in the pm.


i think the hilarki gold helps the red color in the tail :)

have you considered a tank cam ???

i have started a site www.fishtankwebcam.com (http://www.fishtankwebcam.com) ....

john


ps there size reflects the 2 inch per month growth rate that most people cant believe for well fed and well housed pimas

[filiportela]

they are al great... i'd love one, but i cant have one yet... haven't got the space...:(

[StiffMeister]

very nice pics guys! good to see peeps have them in huge tanks.

[VVateverzYo]

wow they are kool they are selling one at my lfs for 400 for a baby im not gonna get it cuz i cant house one so im not even gonna try

[arapaimag]

[QUOTE=johnptc;809724;]they are great and in the super tank will be very happy.

whart are you feeding ???

i feed a mix of hikari foods in the am and usually smelt shrimp or occasional salmon in the pm.


i think the hilarki gold helps the red color in the tail :)

have you considered a tank cam ???

i have started a site www.fishtankwebcam.com (http://www.fishtankwebcam.com) ....

I think the hikari and shrimp combo really brings the great colour out for your big guy.

I feed every second or third day mainly pink salmon & mackeral, some smelt, trout pellets & dog food. There are a lot of cichlids and barbs that they can hunt down if they want a snack. One of them takes the odd shrimp they other does not care for them.

They are like people in that they are all so different in their preferences.

They are not the biggies in this tank so they tread lightly.

I had a third one but my biggest Wallego ate him when the pima was about 32inches. The two that are left have been attacked but escaped in the past months and seem to be safe now. I leave 3 low watt lights on 24/7 so they can feel safer.

We shot some pics with a webcam and Neo will put them up soon.

I've been really busy lately working on my other tanks and an upcoming basketball tournament so have not considered putting a webcam into this tank. The 15k actually has way more action because of the number of big active brycons, barbs and arrawanas.

John, All MFK hobbyists really appreciate the in depth articles you have provided for us to enjoy...............thank you very much

[johnptc]

thanks !!!!! keep us posted....sorry about the lost pima......

[arapaimag]

John I just had a few minutes to look at your webcam of your tank and the fish look fantastic. I keep many of the same species. The colour and size of your pima is amazing. Are you going to the ACA in Sacramento in July?

[awk]

Love the webcam, I keep it open on a different window. That way I have something to look at while I wait for a page to load.:headbang2

[arapaimag]

Not nice to see

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o_MjHVgzdbk
jaguar killing arapaima



It looks like these pimas were trapped for the jaguar kill

[johnptc]

Not nice to see

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o_MjHVgzdbk
jaguar killing arapaima



It looks like these pimas were trapped for the jaguar kill

thats why we hunt jaguars !!!! ;)

[pirarucu319]

yeah yeah...
i have too..
i'am planning on larger tanks
maybe in 3-4 days...tanks arrive
soon...
my precious pirarucu

[pirarucu319]

yeah yeah...
i have too..
i'am planning on larger tanks
maybe in 3-4 days...tanks arrive
soon...
my precious pirarucu:headbang2

[arapaimag]

Thats fantastic.

How big are your new tanks?

[DATSALL]

wOw! thats incredible man!

[artemis1]

Sweet. The guy with the 50,000 gallon tank has several arapaimas in it, don' know if you already said that though... I'm looking at getting an arapaima to go with my pacus in an 800 gallon tank im planning out. I would assume they're gunnu need a bigger tank after they outgow it. Anyone know of some places i can get an arapaima?

[joeytoe]

Sweet looking gigas, What do you feed them? must be a alotve something.

[MistirE]

Sweet. The guy with the 50,000 gallon tank has several arapaimas in it, don' know if you already said that though... I'm looking at getting an arapaima to go with my pacus in an 800 gallon tank im planning out. I would assume they're gunnu need a bigger tank after they outgow it. Anyone know of some places i can get an arapaima?

I ran into a few places online;) just google search " bug freshwater fish" and its on one of the major online distributors.

[johnptc]

Sweet. The guy with the 50,000 gallon tank has several arapaimas in it, don' know if you already said that though... I'm looking at getting an arapaima to go with my pacus in an 800 gallon tank im planning out. I would assume they're gunnu need a bigger tank after they outgow it. Anyone know of some places i can get an arapaima?


plan on at least 10000 gallons .........also figure they grow 2 inches a month after 24 inches and even faster when small :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: ....

i have moved mine from 2400 gallons after 24 months to 5000 gallons and am planning to expand to 10000 gallons within about 6 months !!

ps arapimag is that guy with the 50000 gallon tank and pimas


pps call brian at ocen blue in OC calif he may still have some.

[arapaimag]

Sweet. The guy with the 50,000 gallon tank has several arapaimas in it, don' know if you already said that though... I'm looking at getting an arapaima to go with my pacus in an 800 gallon tank im planning out. I would assume they're gunnu need a bigger tank after they outgow it. Anyone know of some places i can get an arapaima?

I kept my pimas in a 800 for the first year. When they reach 32" you will need to move them to a bigger tank just like John advises.

The pacus get pretty big and will need the bigger tank also. Mine are a few pounds either side of 40.
Here are couple of mine rememeber the glass panels are 36" wide by 60inches high. the tank is 9 feet deep, 36 feet long and 27 feet wide L shaped.

[bmxer4ever]

Can't believe that I didn't find this thread before! Doh!
I started another thread about 'pimas thinking no-one else had - forgot to look in the arowana section, didn't I...duh!
AND it's been running since 2005....Oh well, the more the merrier..!
I wondered where Arapaimag was upping his post score...
For those that HAVN'T looked at the other thread, it's in Ancient Fish...

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35218

Enjoy and speak to you all again soon....

[Zoodiver]

I've tried to raise pacu and arapaima together a few times. As long as the arapaima knows it's the top dog, you'll be ok. I used a 750 gallon as my smallest grow out system. Worked for about a year.
I'm in teh same boat as others with adult pacu..... my biggest are over 45 or 50lbs and will push the 4 1/2 foot arapaima out of the way for food if they feel the need. I've got them conditioned to eat in one corner, while the arapaima goes to the other side now to get his food (He's a little shy still.)

[johnptc]

some new pima observations:

i have recently moved son of sam ( 26 ") in with sam ( 60 inch)

1) they swim together... very nice:popcorn: :popcorn:
2) sam is much more active with son of sam in the tank also very nice :)

just some small notes but interesting !!

[bmxer4ever]

John..... Just been sitting watching the webcam, son of sam swimming around with the other fish......wondered where Sam was.... Then I realised that the piece of "tank decor" near the back of the tank was Sam hiding in the corner....
Damn, that 'Pima is big!

[bmxer4ever]

Oh....and on another note....do you wear a Snap-On T-shirt every day? or just today...?!

[johnptc]

Oh....and on another note....do you wear a Snap-On T-shirt every day? or just today...?!

the tee shirts come off the stack...i dont look i just wear the top one........:ROFL: :ROFL:

[Zoodiver]

Good tools and a big fish tank..... Gotta love this guy!!

I agree I've seen arapaima do well in groups. They do well together.

[arapaimag]

Good tools and a big fish tank..... Gotta love this guy!!

I agree I've seen arapaima do well in groups. They do well together.

Matt how many Pimas do you have in the 145,000 tank?

Are the 2 you were raising last year at the other zoo still doing well?
How big are they now?

[bmxer4ever]

bump!

[artemis1]

I kept my pimas in a 800 for the first year. When they reach 32" you will need to move them to a bigger tank just like John advises.

The pacus get pretty big and will need the bigger tank also. Mine are a few pounds either side of 40.
Here are couple of mine rememeber the glass panels are 36" wide by 60inches high. the tank is 9 feet deep, 36 feet long and 27 feet wide L shaped.

Now i know better...

[vinson lim]

wow, nice thread....!

[pirarucu319]

don't feed them just koi and goldfish! feed them healthy stuff so disease/thiamin deficiency doesnt happen a 2nd time.

goldfish are not good 4 any predator fish..my paiche ate various but never goldfish..

Biggest i have is about 24 inches. They are definately gentle giants. I have them with much smaller fish and they never bother them.

pima are gentle and highly curiosity intent..sometimes can be funny lol..
:ROFL:

Any body out there with Arapaima ???????????

let's gather The G.O.F ...

[okeeteecorn]

Hi everyone!
I realise the size of a fish depends partly on how well it feeds. However, on the average, how old would a 7 inch long baby Arapaima probably be?
Thanks for your help.

[johnptc]

Hi everyone!
I realise the size of a fish depends partly on how well it feeds. However, on the average, how old would a 7 inch long baby Arapaima probably be?
Thanks for your help.


8-12 weeks ??? educated guess

[pirarucu319]

Hi everyone!
I realise the size of a fish depends partly on how well it feeds. However, on the average, how old would a 7 inch long baby Arapaima probably be?
Thanks for your help.

besides tonnes of food, large tank also play role their growth..

[AttackFish]

This thread was a good read.

I almost bought an arapaima once, I was going to put it into a large indoor pond and grow it out and keep moving it into larger and larger ponds. I was crazy then.
Someday I will own a Pima though, and this thread has helped me.

[Zoodiver]

8-12 weeks ??? educated guess


Good estimate.

[mansterkill]

help with my pimas. how long before they get to 4ft in length thanks
here the pics now
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd147/mansterkill/familypic.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd147/mansterkill/post33.jpg

[bobVillanueva]

help with my pimas. how long before they get to 4ft in length thanks
here the pics now
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd147/mansterkill/familypic.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd147/mansterkill/post33.jpg

put em in ur pool! where the sharks were once kept!:) you'll be amazed how fast!:D

[arapaimag]

I have found that

It takes between 2 and 3 years to get 6" pimas up to 48" but very important is the size of the tank they are kept in, diet and tank mates.

Yours are in with a very tough bunch at such a young age.

[skylarman]

im hoping il get 4 soon

[vinson lim]

im hoping il get 4 soon


4 arapaimas ???

[artemis1]

im hoping il get 4 soon
You realize you'd need something around 30k for that many pimas, probably larger?

[skylarman]

i said i hope...

[---XR---]

i said i hope...

well god damn skylars back, YAY!!!!!!!!!!1, how long do you plan this membership to last?

will 5x banning be the charm, by the looks of it you've been banned 4x already

[skylarman]

no... 3x. lol.

[ewurm]

no... 3x. lol.

well god damn skylars back, YAY!!!!!!!!!!1, how long do you plan this membership to last?

will 5x banning be the charm, by the looks of it you've been banned 4x already

i said i hope...

Get lost!

[King Edward]

I'm planning on getting a couple of pimas as tankmates for my 55 community. I know I'll have to upgrade to a 120 soon as I'm already a little overstocked for a 55 with a black tip reef shark and my manta ray, but my baby hump back kamikazied the other night (found him on the floor, jeez no one told me those suckers JUMP) so I got a little space.

[rtc]

JOIN THE ALLIANCE MAANNN!!!
I JUST BOUGHT MY SELF A PIMA OF 13'' !!

I'M SO EXCITED THAT I THINK 'BOUT TRADE OFF MY FLOWER HORN W/ 2 MORE PIMA!!! :headbang2

IF U CONSIDER YO'SELF A MONSTERFISHKEEPER, DAMN U SHOULD KEEP THIS ONE M$TH3Rf@CK#R SON OF A B!T@H MAAANNNN !!! YIHUYYYYYY :headbang2

:naughty::naughty:

[rtc]

Anybody with any Arapaima's????????????????:grinno:

YOO YOOO MAAANNNNN U GOT THAT RIGHTTT!!!

I'M A F@CK!NG ARAPAIMAN !!! :headbang2:headbang2

:ROFL: :naughty:

[johnptc]

YOO YOOO MAAANNNNN U GOT THAT RIGHTTT!!!

I'M A F@CK!NG ARAPAIMAN !!! :headbang2:headbang2

:ROFL: :naughty:


pics are required :):)

[pirarucu319]

thats why we hunt jaguars !!!! ;)

pity jag..

YOO YOOO MAAANNNNN U GOT THAT RIGHTTT!!!

I'M A F@CK!NG ARAPAIMAN !!! :headbang2:headbang2

:ROFL: :naughty:

seem you freakin happy lol..pic pls.??happy to see new generation of beast..
:D

[Teddude]

We all will die if my sig is true...:nilly::WHOA::nilly::WHOA::nilly:

[rtc]

YOO...YOO...YOOO MANNN!! :headbang2

STILL LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT ANGLE MAAANNNN!!!

SOON I WILL GET HIMMMMM ON THE LINEEEEE......!!! :headbang2

:naughty::naughty: <------- I LIKE THIS ICON, SO DISGUSTING, JUST LIKE MEEE.....!! :drool::drool::headbang2:drool::drool::drool:

[pirarucu319]

YOO...YOO...YOOO MANNN!! :headbang2

STILL LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT ANGLE MAAANNNN!!!

SOON I WILL GET HIMMMMM ON THE LINEEEEE......!!! :headbang2

:naughty::naughty: <------- I LIKE THIS ICON, SO DISGUSTING, JUST LIKE MEEE.....!! :drool::drool::headbang2:drool::drool::drool:

:naughty::naughty::naughty:...:D

[mr.wilson]

I am one of the many lucky people that arapaimag has graciously welcomed into his fish room. I was even fortunate enough to participate in the plumbing of the 50,000 gallon monster tank (that's me in the build pictures). The pictures don't do it justice, and his collection of many large tanks are overwhelming for even a seasoned collector.

I'm building a monster tank and could use your help selecting fish (arapaimag). Sorry for posting here, but I'm too new for PM privileges.
Shawn Wilson

[mr.wilson]

Sorry, ignore my last post. I found arapaimag's response to my other post. I'll post pictures when the tank's done in the spring.

[pirarucu319]

nice, we'll waitin for it..

[two_amen]

A friend of mine back in my birthland of Trinidad W.I. has a concrete pond thats maybe 20' x 40' and about 4'+ of water. In there he has several pacus, with three nice size pimas ranging from 8' - 10'.
check this girl out (http://home.comcast.net/~coljames/1st_A.jpg)

and

Here is head shot with one and a two & a half foot pacu. (http://home.comcast.net/~coljames/a_and_p.jpg)

[johnptc]

A friend of mine back in my birthland of Trinidad W.I. has a concrete pond thats maybe 20' x 40' and about 4'+ of water. In there he has several pacus, with three nice size pimas ranging from 8' - 10'.
check this girl out (http://home.comcast.net/~coljames/1st_A.jpg)

and

Here is head shot with one and a two & a half foot pacu. (http://home.comcast.net/~coljames/a_and_p.jpg)

I AM IN LOVE !!!!

[stingray man]

How big is she she looks BEASTLY

[rtc]

u meant SEXY ?
:naughty::naughty:

[vinson lim]

YOO...YOO...YOOO MANNN!! :headbang2

STILL LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT ANGLE MAAANNNN!!!

SOON I WILL GET HIMMMMM ON THE LINEEEEE......!!! :headbang2

:naughty::naughty: <------- I LIKE THIS ICON, SO DISGUSTING, JUST LIKE MEEE.....!! :drool::drool::headbang2:drool::drool::drool:

well, any update of this bro...???

[two_amen]

How big is she she looks BEASTLY

She is the biggest of the bunch, about 10+ feet. It's been some years since I last saw them.
I know that it will be one of the first stops I make when I go back to Trinidad.

[demjor19]

A friend of mine back in my birthland of Trinidad W.I. has a concrete pond thats maybe 20' x 40' and about 4'+ of water. In there he has several pacus, with three nice size pimas ranging from 8' - 10'.
check this girl out (http://home.comcast.net/~coljames/1st_A.jpg)

and

Here is head shot with one and a two & a half foot pacu. (http://home.comcast.net/~coljames/a_and_p.jpg)

incredible!!!

[two_amen]

Couple more for the Arapaima Gigas Alliance................

1 (http://home.comcast.net/~coljames/little_male_A.jpg)
and
2 (http://home.comcast.net/~coljames/looks_like_female_A.jpg)
Colin.

[rtc]

well, any update of this bro...???

here's mine, please don't laugh, only 18 inch.....:D

sorry in advance for giving u a load guys......:headbang2

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA1.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA2.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA3.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA4.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA5.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA6.jpg

:naughty::naughty: difficult to take the picture for newbie like me.....

[pirarucu319]

that awesome pirarucu,i just love his belly looks like..what kind of diet you applied.??:D

[TLkmDN]

here's mine, please don't laugh, only 18 inch.....:D

sorry in advance for giving u a load guys......:headbang2

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA1.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA2.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA3.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA4.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA5.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd308/rtc_album/PIMA6.jpg

:naughty::naughty: difficult to take the picture for newbie like me.....
realy beauty uve got there. his scales shud start turning red very soon!

[rtc]

that awesome pirarucu,i just love his belly looks like..what kind of diet you applied.??:D
thanks....:headbang2

i give him supermarket fishes, like "selar", "teri" ( i dont know what's the name of these fishes in English...:) ), squid, frog, cockroach, little mouse, anything i could find and that he like....
:)

[vinson lim]

wow RTC, cute pima, wth his friend, a 2ft Alligtor gar...!!!!!

[two_amen]

thanks....:headbang2

i give him supermarket fishes, like "selar", "teri" ( i dont know what's the name of these fishes in English...:) ), squid, frog, cockroach, little mouse, anything i could find and that he like....
:)

RTC, that is a nice youngster pima. what are they housed in?

it looks like a blue nylon tarp? if so, how strong is it? I have seen this one time before in costa rica but was never able to chat to the owner about it.

[rtc]

RTC, that is a nice youngster pima. what are they housed in?

it looks like a blue nylon tarp? if so, how strong is it? I have seen this one time before in costa rica but was never able to chat to the owner about it.

I am using pallet covered by waterproofed canvas, three-ply. Strong enough man... I have two of this.....
'n very low in cost....
by the end of this year i will give my monster fishes a paludarium, so i can have a side view.....
:headbang2

[Zoodiver]

Gonna bump this with pics from the Omaha Zoo. I was there over the weekend. Such a great collection of them. All well over 10 feet and super healthy looking! I wish I had more time to get better (and closer) pics to share. I was a little upset all the Amazon fish weren't together. The big ones were in the rainforest, the arows, silver dollar, pacu and 'small stuff' were in a mixed exhibit in the Aquarium building.. and the rays (leopoldi and motoro) were in another area.

[johnptc]

:WHOA::WHOA::WHOA: 10 feet :eek:

[mushishi]

is 20000 gal tank big enough for 5 arapaimas?

[mushishi]

sorry, it should be 35000 gal

[Zoodiver]

Depends on shape. As long is it's about 5 feet deep and very wide, you should be fine.

[mushishi]

ok thx

[arapaimag]

[QUOTE=Zoodiver;113038;]As funny as this may sound 50K will turn out to be just enough for three adult arapiama. I've seen up to 8 do well together 200K, but even then there were some issues that arose.

I've been telling people that 3 is the max for my tank based on your recommendation.

[Zoodiver]

Yeah, I'm starting to base things on measurements. We've talking in PMs to make sure there is enough room.

A few years back, it was thought to be harmful to keep them in shallow pools. Over the past two years, new info has been documented to show it's ok to keep them as shallow as 5 feet or so long term with no ill effects.

[TLkmDN]

how do u prevent arapaimas from jumping out of open ponds...

[johnptc]

how do u prevent arapaimas from jumping out of open ponds...


fences..........often with tops i am told

[Zoodiver]

Yep, high edges are a MUST. I've seen full size adults jump completly out of the water to grab 'food' from low tree branches.

[TLkmDN]

crap man.so annoying having an open air pond cause there is always the possibility of losing one of ure fish (which is wat happened to my arapaima). i guess the only fish that cant jump are RTCs cause they r too fat!

[bes]

I started three out at pinkie finger size you can control there growth I had more than several through the years, however large they are very docile and peaceful fish, they just want to eat, anyway no horror stories just fond memories of the days with my friends and me back in Baltimore growing up in the 70's and 80's those were truly the days go look at my pictures as there are many right here on MFK's

bes

[BaTsBR]

well, now that I see this trhead, I'll tell my little history.

Living in Brasil, I always love this wild fishes. One day I went to a local fish store and see one pirarucu (thats how we offen call the arapaima gigas). The price was a bit high but I couldn't resist and buy it.
Today it has about 10.5", is very hungry, loves goldfish and lambaris, and soon will need a bigger "room".
By the way, it has a delicious taste indeed.

[astronatus]

I finally got to see an arapaima in person. The Smithsonian Zoo has 4 large ones in some really great tanks. I hope the files are not too large. I tried to make them small.

[skerzfan]

I started a thread in the photo lounge with some pics of the Arapaima at the Henry Doorly Zoo.

Wasn't sure where to post them. I think Zoodiver said they ran over 10'. I would have guessed a little shorter, but it's tough to judge. He's the expert, though. They are MASSIVE!

[skerzfan]

The thread for the Arapaima at the Zoo in the Photo Lounge is:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153904

and the Video Lounge:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153845

[Zoodiver]

Yeah, the largest there is pushing 12', but most were over 10'. The height at which you see them from is much further than you would think.

[skerzfan]

Zoodiver,

They are cool. Do you know offhand how many they have? I never got around to actually counting them. It's amazing how many people walk by looking at the macaws and sloth and don't even notice the fish.

[JWALSH98]

We need to save these awesome fish. I hear their numbers are declining because of fishing.

[Zoodiver]

I have no clue as to their collections size. I know it's one of the largest groups in the US right now. I think Dallas World still has the largest group of them. I'll have to check with ISIS and see how many they have listed.

[rav4ajay]

i love arapimas wish i had the space

[arapaimag]

Anyone with new Arapaima?

[Zoodiver]

I might be doing another 'bigger' sized project in the next month or so. That's all I can say for now. :D

[DolphinRyan]

Keep us updated Zoo!

[nishant_datta]

Yeah, the largest there is pushing 12', but most were over 10'. The height at which you see them from is much further than you would think.


Dude, is this correct ? its absolutely amazing ! can't even imagine what a 12 foot pima would look like. must be pretty old too .

[transporter]

Hi guys from Australia... I have to say they are my favorite fish of all time too. A little hard to get here but not impossible.

[transporter]

Hi Guys, some of you might have seen this site... it has some of the best pima pics around.
http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/arapaima
cheers from Aus

[arapaimag]

Thanks for the link. Some really nice pics.

[Gobrian44]

As soon as i'm done with school...im getting 3 lol

[Gobrian44]

I have a 22 acre lake which at it's deepest is about 300 ft.....I think I could fit maybe 1 or 2 in there

[johnptc]

I have a 22 acre lake which at it's deepest is about 300 ft.....I think I could fit maybe 1 or 2 in there


what is the temperature ???

[fishman646]

I have got 2 baby pimas growing out and being sold around 15-20 inches to a friend!

[johnptc]

I have got 2 baby pimas growing out and being sold around 15-20 inches to a friend!


where is he going to keep them ??

[ShadowR1]

Hi there, what is the temp that pimas is comfy in ? I live in a tropical place but they will be house in an indoor tank. Tank size around 12'L X 6'W X 4'D.

[Arapaimaman]

The last time I posted on here was 9-05. 4 years ago.I have built my home around the 15,000 gallon tank.I used well water to fill it but it has real heavy iron content.No pima's yet,10 fish so far.
Arapaimaman

[Platys pown]

wish i had room for one:nilly:

[Proteus]

If i won the lottery I'm going to get a group of those for sure-

[ausknife]

i love arapaima. im looking at a 25000 litre above ground pool for my garage to house some of these awesome things!

[snakeguy101]

i HAVE KEEPED ARAPAIMA'S FORE OVER 20 YEARS.I BUILT A 1500 GAL.TANK THAT I THOUGH THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF! BOY I WAS WRONG! I LOST MY BIGGIST ONE.HE WAS OVER 5 FT.LONG&50LBS.HE JUMP THROUGH WOOD ,MESH WIRE,AND 1/4"PLEXIGLASS AND LANDED ON 11/2"SCD.40 PLASTIC PIPE THAT BROKE AND PUMP ALL THE WATER OUT.I AM GETTING A BID FORE A TANK THAT IS 15,OOO GAL.I AM GOING TO BUILD A HOUSE AROUND IT.I HAVE BOUGHT THE LAND IN FLORIDA AND I WILL MOVE FROM O.C.CALIF.

any bony-tongue fish including arowana (all except the silver) is illegal to own in FL regardless of qualifications. The only way you could get one is if you build a zoo, and they are STILL difficult to get for zoo's.

[Meyjeffery]

I have raised silver, black, and now jardini on floating sticks. They seem to go after the red ones which have a picture of an arowana on the package. Once on them, they seem to prefer them. I usually have this as only food source once on, i find it has all the nutrients they need and colors are great in the fish. This also helps eliminate the diseases of feeding live food.