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Monster Fish of the Amazon

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Image: captured fish of the Amazon

Monster Fish of the Amazon

They're some of the biggest fresh-water fish in the world: larger than a human, heavier than many sharks, and strong enough to tow a boat. From 15-foot-long, air-breathing giants to 400-pound monster catfish, follow us as we explore the world's megafish and their population loss.

About the Amazon

Over 20% of the world’s available oxygen and 20% of its freshwater resources are supplied by the Amazon.
It rains over 400 inches in a year in the Amazon, averaging over an inch a day.
Seasonal rains can raise the water levels of the Amazon by as much as 40 feet.
The Amazon River is about 4,000 miles long and is home to over 3,000 species of fish.

Fish of the Amazon

Being made primarily of white muscles, Pirarucu are able to speed jump over nets and boats.
Overuse of the Pirarucu’s muscle tissue can be fatal due to build up of lethal lactic acids, making extended periods on shore or trying to escape fishermen deadly to the fish.
Jau and Piraíba are believed to spawn later than most fish, at 6 or 7 years old. By that time, the fish are roughly 5 feet long.
Piraíba have been noted to eat many animals, including monkeys and birds.
Catfish have adapted to environments ranging from the open seas to the mountain water bodies of the Andes and Himalayas, and are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Many species of fish deposit a layer of hard material on their inner ear bones daily, which allows scientists to gauge their age.
The largest freshwater fish catch was recorded on May 1, 2005 in Thailand. This fish was a Mekong giant catfish that weighed over 646 pounds.

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