Arapaima are giant Amazonian fish farmed in Brazil as a sustainable alternative to wild capture, with welfare considerations around their obligate air-breathing biology and intensive production conditions.
Arapaima welfare in aquaculture requires management of their unique air-breathing biology. High stocking density that impedes access to the water surface prevents normal breathing patterns, causing asphyxiation stress. These giant fish require large volumes of water relative to their body size for normal behavioral expression. Handling stress in such large, powerful fish causes physical injury from thrashing and scale loss. Water temperature management is critical as arapaima are adapted to warm Amazonian conditions and cold stress causes immune suppression and disease. As a species from a spatially complex riverine environment, confinement in simple pond or tank systems restricts normal exploratory and social behavior.