Pairs form in the rainy (flood) season and dig a nest about 50 cm wide and 15-20 cm deep on a firm bottom in shallow, shaded water. Both parents guard; after the yolk sac is used the young shoal around the male's head while the female guards the territory, for about a month. Not possible in home aquaria; bred in large farm ponds.
A mature pair in a large pond.
A pond of several thousand cubic metres.
Seasonal flooding and warm water.
A large clutch (tens of thousands; up to about 50,000 reported) of adhesive green eggs is laid in the nest. In the wild they hatch in about 4-5 days; in artificial agitated baskets larvae hatch in 18-24 h. Larvae are about 12 mm long and keep the yolk sac 8-9 days; the male guards the young.
Fry are raised on live food.
One breeding tank for the arapaima, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 24–30 °C · pH 6–7.5 · sand bottom
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 250 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A rack of breeding and grow-out tanks.
The breeding guide gives no tank size for the arapaima yet, so a business layout can't be drawn.
No year-round external differences; in the breeding period males become redder, especially on the head near the jaw. Otherwise sexing needs internal examination or blood hormone tests.
Typical for bubble-nest builders
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
The male wraps the female and places eggs in the nest. Remove the female after spawning.
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours. The male catches falling fry and returns them to the nest.
Remove the male. Feed infusoria and keep the air above the water warm and humid.
Move on to baby brine shrimp and microworms. Change small amounts of water daily.
Males start fighting at about 8 weeks and need their own jars.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.