arapaima

American  

[ar-uh-pahy-muh] / ˌær əˈpaɪ mə /

noun

1. a large freshwater fish, Arapaima gigas, of Brazil and Guiana, reputed to reach a length of 15 feet (4.5 meters) and a weight of 500 pounds (225 kilograms).

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arapaima British  

/ ˌærəˈpaɪmə /

noun

1. a very large primitive freshwater teleost fish, Arapaima gigas, that occurs in tropical South America and can attain a length of 4.5 m (15 ft) and a weight of 200 kg (440 lbs): family Osteoglossidae

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Etymology

Origin of arapaima

First recorded in 1830–40; from Portuguese, from Tupi

Example Sentences

Thousands of miles away from the Amazon, down a hilly dirt road on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, Nova Kaeru will process about 50,000 skins from legally-caught giant pirarucu or arapaima fish this year.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2022

One of the most valuable targets is the world’s largest freshwater fish with scales, the arapaima.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 11, 2022

The arapaima, because of its varied and voracious appetite, is a threat to native Florida wildlife.

From Washington Times • Mar. 14, 2021

I’d come to experience the natural wonders — the world’s largest river, the sprawling rainforest, the pink dolphins and the arapaima, a prehistoric-looking fish that can grow up to 15 feet in length.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2015

I reflect on my time in Rewa, what we have accomplished, and what is yet ahead for arapaima conservation as I make my journey back to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. 

From New York Times • Apr. 24, 2013