I searched back through my picture files, and I couldn't find one of that particular animal so far. But I will tell you that I have worked with several above the 3 meter mark for sure. I'll keep looking for pics or a video of the largest ones. I know I have them on an old floppy disc somewhere in a box of old junk.
The true size of Arapaima gigas
- Thread starter Acheloos
- Start date
The Fishsiam team has captured Arapaima gigas to 180kg's with the biggest fish measuring 2.6m's.These fish have an incredible girth and are spectacular in apperance.
The Fishsiam team has also caught 50 individual Giant Fresghwater stingray with weights to an estimated 220kg's.This fish was measured at a width of 2.4m's and was a particularily large specimen.We have caught quite a few 2m plus monster stingrays and believe that this species has the potential to achieve the largest weight of any freshwater species.
http://www.fishsiam.com
![PICT0574[1].JPG](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/250/250962-a272666699bd70e8861ecf427da93773.jpg "PICT0574[1].JPG")
The Fishsiam team has also caught 50 individual Giant Fresghwater stingray with weights to an estimated 220kg's.This fish was measured at a width of 2.4m's and was a particularily large specimen.We have caught quite a few 2m plus monster stingrays and believe that this species has the potential to achieve the largest weight of any freshwater species.
http://www.fishsiam.com
I agree with Zoodiver that 2.63 meters is probably not going to be record size. In the Amazon basin their is just way to much water (and unexplored water)and food for there not to be an absolute monster lurking. All it would take is optimum condition in a couple locations for these fish (that do grow extremely fast and could live for a long time) to produce some geniun monsters. I've heard of 40 year old clown loaches, and if an Arapiama was that old under optimum conditions it would be a geniun goliath.
No one has officially verified a fish over 3m for this species in the wild or captive and that is a fact.
Zoodiver can change that very easily by showing us a picture or simply tell us which Aquarium keeps such a fish.
If such a fish exists it would be a world record and a first for an officially scientifically verified Arapaima.
I have heard all the big fish stories before and yes big fish do look really big in real life and under water even larger.
If there are serval where are they and bring a measuring tape.
Lets make some history.
Zoodiver can change that very easily by showing us a picture or simply tell us which Aquarium keeps such a fish.
If such a fish exists it would be a world record and a first for an officially scientifically verified Arapaima.
I have heard all the big fish stories before and yes big fish do look really big in real life and under water even larger.
If there are serval where are they and bring a measuring tape.
Lets make some history.
Hi,
Here in Thailand I can tell you a few facts:-
1. We (Saim Fishing Tours) held(or still hold although a submission is now in for a bigger fish) the world record for the Arapaima for a few months at 86kgs the fish measured 72 inches (these figures are approx becuase I dont have paperwork to hand as I am typing this.
2. We have captured Arapaima more than twice the size of the one we submitted as a record, and I would say it was around 50% longer
3.We also have unsubstantiated claims, yet from credible people here in Thailand of fish to 12ft long, and fish weighing 224kg from different sources. I am conifident of the 224kg but not confident of the claim of 12ft.
4. There are those that believe that Bungsamran fishing park in Bangkok holds several specimens that could be in the 250kg to 300kg range. I dont think these fish would go longer than 9ft/10ft though.
Personally I think one of the problems is that too many people over estimate weights in the first place. If you compare the 2.63 Mtr fish at an estimated wieght of 185kg and then compare the one we captured in January this year which we know for a fact was at least 17yrs old and we put an absolute ceiling on it of 9ft and 200kgs (more likely 185kgs) we dont see any comparison with the much younger fish of 2.63mtrs that others here are claiming is "verifiable". Its certainly know more verifable than those we have captured. What gives our clients fish away as a bigger specimen is the girth and depth, but also the tell tale signs of a fully mature fish which can be seen in the scale colouration, the red flash on the scales reaching to within 5 scales of the top of the specimens head.
5. If people do not weight and measure fish accurately we will will never answer these questions which is perhaps why this thread runs on and on, its difficult to weigh and measure a large fish accurately and release the specimen safely, which is why so many fish out of Thailand have estimated weights placed on them. They come from catch and release fishing venues and most anglers want to return them alive. I stand by the suggestion that sooner or later Thailand will throw up a freak and its going to be 9ft/10ft long and in the 250kg to 300kg range. Far bigger than any Arapaima from the wild, but still not the biggest freshwater fish, not by a mile.
Here in Thailand I can tell you a few facts:-
1. We (Saim Fishing Tours) held(or still hold although a submission is now in for a bigger fish) the world record for the Arapaima for a few months at 86kgs the fish measured 72 inches (these figures are approx becuase I dont have paperwork to hand as I am typing this.
2. We have captured Arapaima more than twice the size of the one we submitted as a record, and I would say it was around 50% longer
3.We also have unsubstantiated claims, yet from credible people here in Thailand of fish to 12ft long, and fish weighing 224kg from different sources. I am conifident of the 224kg but not confident of the claim of 12ft.
4. There are those that believe that Bungsamran fishing park in Bangkok holds several specimens that could be in the 250kg to 300kg range. I dont think these fish would go longer than 9ft/10ft though.
Personally I think one of the problems is that too many people over estimate weights in the first place. If you compare the 2.63 Mtr fish at an estimated wieght of 185kg and then compare the one we captured in January this year which we know for a fact was at least 17yrs old and we put an absolute ceiling on it of 9ft and 200kgs (more likely 185kgs) we dont see any comparison with the much younger fish of 2.63mtrs that others here are claiming is "verifiable". Its certainly know more verifable than those we have captured. What gives our clients fish away as a bigger specimen is the girth and depth, but also the tell tale signs of a fully mature fish which can be seen in the scale colouration, the red flash on the scales reaching to within 5 scales of the top of the specimens head.
5. If people do not weight and measure fish accurately we will will never answer these questions which is perhaps why this thread runs on and on, its difficult to weigh and measure a large fish accurately and release the specimen safely, which is why so many fish out of Thailand have estimated weights placed on them. They come from catch and release fishing venues and most anglers want to return them alive. I stand by the suggestion that sooner or later Thailand will throw up a freak and its going to be 9ft/10ft long and in the 250kg to 300kg range. Far bigger than any Arapaima from the wild, but still not the biggest freshwater fish, not by a mile.
Sorry, but I really can´t believe in your claims. At first a 72 inches long arapaima would be surely no world-record (or was this a typo?). And in most cases of unsubstantial claims about outsized animals it turns out that they were exagerations. And why are there never photos of such animals? If the arapaimas in the fishing-ponds of Thailand would grow to 4m, why don´t we have masses of photos showing at least 3m specimens?
It is surely not easy to measure and weigh such a big fish when it is still alive, but it should be possible to make a photo, even one which does not use forced perspective to make the fish looking bigger.
It is surely not easy to measure and weigh such a big fish when it is still alive, but it should be possible to make a photo, even one which does not use forced perspective to make the fish looking bigger.
Quote "1. We (Saim Fishing Tours) held(or still hold although a submission is now in for a bigger fish) the world record for the Arapaima for a few months at 86kgs the fish measured 72 inches (these figures are approx becuase I dont have paperwork to hand as I am typing this."
I am sure bigger fish have been taken and verified in Thailand and have in been kept in large aquaria.
Your record must be for a particular class of fishing equipment used to land a fish spp I think.
As for a fish 50% longer that would be a 9ft specimen which is what I have seen mentioned as the largest fish captured in Thailand.
I believe there could be larger fish but substantial evidence never seems to be forth coming in the vast majority of big Arapaima stories.
I am sure bigger fish have been taken and verified in Thailand and have in been kept in large aquaria.
Your record must be for a particular class of fishing equipment used to land a fish spp I think.
As for a fish 50% longer that would be a 9ft specimen which is what I have seen mentioned as the largest fish captured in Thailand.
I believe there could be larger fish but substantial evidence never seems to be forth coming in the vast majority of big Arapaima stories.
LOL,
I really do have to laugh at you lot! The statments I make are FACTS, not speculation. YES our client holds the world record for the Arapaima, (although a claim for a 130kg specimen is now pending I believe, or may have been accepted,but non the less this is still a small fish) its the All Tackle Class Record , the fish was 86kgs and 72 inches long and 42 inches at its widest. The previous record was 83kg out of Ecuador and it stood as a record for some 13 years.
Heres the International Game Fishing Association Certificate.
I didnt come to the forum to claim bragging rights! The purpose was to try and help you lot decypher the bull from the truth, take it from people who know becuase they handle the species regulary. Now reread my previous post in this context.
I really do have to laugh at you lot! The statments I make are FACTS, not speculation. YES our client holds the world record for the Arapaima, (although a claim for a 130kg specimen is now pending I believe, or may have been accepted,but non the less this is still a small fish) its the All Tackle Class Record , the fish was 86kgs and 72 inches long and 42 inches at its widest. The previous record was 83kg out of Ecuador and it stood as a record for some 13 years.
Heres the International Game Fishing Association Certificate.
I didnt come to the forum to claim bragging rights! The purpose was to try and help you lot decypher the bull from the truth, take it from people who know becuase they handle the species regulary. Now reread my previous post in this context.
