The Silver Arowana is a sleek, long-bodied fish with large, shimmering silver scales. It belongs to a group of ancient fish known as bony-tongues, named for the bony plate at the base of their mouth, which they use to crush food. Arowanas have a large mouth set low on their face that opens like a drawbridge, perfectly designed to scoop up prey from below.
This remarkable hunter is also known to leap out of the water to catch terrestrial prey, earning it the nickname “water monkey.” Additionally, male arowanas use their spacious mouths to protect fertilized eggs and fry, keeping them safe until they are ready to swim on their own.
Range
South America: Amazon River basin
Habitat
prefer slow moving streams and flooded forests
Diet
small fish, insects, and anything else at the surface of the water
Meet the Silver Arowana: An Amazonian Fish With A Stiff Upper Lip!
