The paiche (Arapaima gigas) is a valued Amazonian fish known for its high-quality meat. However, it has been overfished for the last 30 years due to rising demand and culinary trends. To address this issue, authorities have implemented a fishing ban for paiche. This ban consists of an annual five-month moratorium from October to February, during which capturing and selling this species in the Amazon basin is prohibited.
During the paiche fishing ban, the government, through PRODUCE, aims to protect and preserve the species. Additionally, projects for paiche aquaculture and restocking in lakes and lagoons are being promoted. These measures are crucial for the long-term sustainability of the species. Although the population of paiche has increased in natural areas like Lake Imiría, the catch levels outside the ban period remain low. This has raised the price of its meat.
While the authorities’ efforts have begun to yield results, the number of paiche specimens has increased in natural sources. However, in Lake Imiría, the catch levels during months outside the ban are far from the levels seen 15 years ago. This directly impacts the final price of the meat, which is high. Most of this meat is destined for export, at the expense of local consumption. Nevertheless, the production in captivity has been steadily increasing. This production has been observed in various regions of Peru, especially in special projects in Loreto and Ucayali.
THE MORPHOLOGY OF PAICHE HAS THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS
➥ HEADS
The head of the paiche is relatively small compared to its body, making up about 10% of its total weight. It is covered by 60 plates of varying sizes. These plates have 6 to 8 pores along their back edges. Through these pores, the paiche expels a whitish mucus. This mucus, referred to as “milk” by the natives of the jungle, is believed to nourish its young as they swim in schools near the adult’s head.
➥ BODY
The paiche’s body is elongated, cylindrical, and oval in cross-section. It is covered with large, strong cycloid scales. The pectoral fins are separated from the ventral fins, while the dorsal and anal fins are located near the caudal fin.
➥ COLOR
From the eighth month of development, the paiche displays a light brown coloration. Its head and dorsal region are darker in hue. In the back half of its body, the scales on the abdomen have dark red edges. The ventral fins of adults exhibit yellow and black spots arranged in irregular waves. Meanwhile, the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins have lighter spots.
FEEDING HABITS
As a carnivorous species, the paiche primarily feeds on small fish. Young paiche consume about 8% to 10% of their body weight. As adults, this consumption decreases to around 6%. In its first year of life, it can weigh up to 10 kg. Its preferred prey includes fish from the Prochilodus, Tetragonopterus, and Leporinus genera. The Loricariids (carachama) are the most favored. It captures its prey through strong suction using its mouth, accompanied by a snap and sudden head and tail movements. Its bony oral structure allows it to crush prey before swallowing. Paiches typically feed during the afternoon or at dawn. During the day, they seek refuge under aquatic vegetation to escape the heat, remaining still at the bottom of lakes or rivers and surfacing only occasionally to breathe.
REPRODUCTION OF PAICHE
During the paiche fishing ban, authorities not only protect adult paiche but also allow juvenile populations to recover. During this period, paiche seek safe areas in rivers to spawn, particularly during flooding when water is cleaner. Females build nests on the riverbed where they lay their eggs. These nests are guarded by both females and males.
➥ FRY
The paiche, as a hermaphroditic species, does not exhibit visible sexual dimorphism. It has external fertilization and can easily adapt to artificial habitats, including large tanks or small reservoirs, where its reproduction occurs naturally.
➥ REPRODUCTION IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
In the rivers of the Amazon, starting in November, paiche seek clean water zones to prepare their nests. This occurs when river levels rise due to rainfall. They avoid areas frequented by caimans and piranhas, which pose a threat to their young. At a depth of 1.5 meters, the pair of paiches engage in noisy courtship. They surface occasionally to breathe before diving again, emitting sounds that resemble human voices. The paiche takes on a more intense color, with scales displaying a brilliant crimson. The red becomes more pronounced, especially in areas that previously did not show this color, such as beneath their jaw.
➥ NEST PREPARATION
At the end of courtship, female paiche search for cleaner bottoms. Using their snouts and mouths, they build nests that are 20 cm deep and 60 cm in diameter.
➥ HATCHING
Once the nests are constructed, females lay their eggs, which are immediately fertilized by the males. Hatching occurs in approximately five days, depending on the water temperature. The larvae, upon hatching, measure about 11.5 mm in length and can be raised artificially. From the fifth day, they begin to search for food outside their immediate surroundings.
➥ NATURAL PROTECTION OF LARVAE AND FRY
During the incubation stage, females care for their young, preventing other fish from approaching. Males take on the responsibility of protecting the school of larvae and fry. At this early stage, the young develop a natural instinct for protection. When they sense danger, the fry take refuge in their parents’ gills, which expand to shelter them until the risk passes. During this period, the fry feed on insect larvae found in the roots and mud. As they grow, they begin to swim farther from their parents, often riding on their backs. When they reach the size of a palm, they become independent and start living on their own.
➥ SPAWNING SEASON AND SEXUAL MATURITY
The spawning season for the paiche occurs year-round, but peaks between September and December, with reduced activity between March and May. Sexual maturity is reached when individuals measure between 1.60 and 1.70 meters. However, spawning occurs at sizes of 1.80 to 1.90 meters, meaning a paiche that starts maturing at around 1.65 meters would take approximately a year to spawn.
➥ PREDATORS AND PARASITIC PREDATORS
In addition to humans, the natural enemies of juvenile paiche include birds like the anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) and the kingfisher (Megaceryle torcuata), as well as the cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) and occasionally herons (Ardeidae). Among fish that pose a threat are the piranha (Serrasalmus spp.), which is very abundant in their habitat, as well as the shuyo (Erythrinus erythrynus), the peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris), and the oscar (Astronotus ocellatus). Adult paiche are protected by their thick scales. Parasitic threats include Goezia spinulosa, which invades their stomachs, and Philometra senticosa, which parasitizes their swim bladders. External parasites like leeches are also common.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF PAICHE
Paiche has high nutritional value, with a high protein content in its meat, surpassing even many saltwater fish. Every 100 grams of fillet provides 20 grams of protein. Additionally, its fat content is lower than that of other white meat species with similar characteristics. Its low fat level gives the meat a mild flavor, allowing chefs to innovate with various dishes. It contains no trans or saturated fats, and only provides beneficial lipids for the human diet (Amazone, 2015).
PAICHE EXTRACTION
Paiche Fishing Ban is mainly carried out in Amazonian rivers and lakes. Due to its large size, methods like harpoons are used to capture them in their natural habitat. Regarding paiche farming, the cultivation of this species in floating cages has shown steady growth, especially in Loreto and Ucayali.
Fishing in the Peruvian Amazon is a key source of animal protein and economic income for indigenous communities and settlers living along the riverbanks. 75% of the captured fish volume corresponds to subsistence fishing, while 25% comes from commercial fishing. This commercial activity has been very dynamic but poorly planned, leading to a decrease in the annual catch of economically valuable species such as migratory catfish, paiche, gamitana, and paco. The lack of reliable information makes it difficult to accurately assess the factors contributing to this problem (IMARPE, 2016). Paiche is primarily caught in rivers using harpoons due to its large size and weight, while in captivity, floating cage methods are used for extraction.
PAICHE COMMERCIALIZATION
Aquaculture has proven to be a viable option for paiche production, especially during and after the closed fishing season. In captivity, paiche can reach a length of up to one meter and a weight of 12 kilograms in just one year. Paiche meat, highly valued in both national and international markets, has reached high prices, particularly during the months when the closed fishing season is respected.
In the Amazon, aquaculture presents itself as a profitable alternative since the region’s lands are not suitable for agriculture (due to their thin fertile layer and unfavorable climate) or for livestock farming (due to the lack of pasture). These limitations turn into advantages for aquaculture. Although fish is a fundamental part of the diet for the Amazonian population, its availability is seasonal, determined by river behavior, which affects the capture level. Aquaculture has seen significant regional development and is becoming a substitute product in response to the fluctuations of traditional fishing (Hidalgo, 2013).
ADVANTAGES OF PAICHE TRADE
Paiche offers several advantages for intensive farming in the Peruvian Amazon (Alcántara et al., 2006), such as its high demand at the regional level, with excellent prospects in national and international markets. Additionally, it maintains a high price year-round, ranging from 15 to 18 soles per kilogram in the markets of Iquitos and Pucallpa. Paiche grows quickly, reaching one meter in length and 12 kg in weight in a year. It can also reproduce in ponds, with a pair producing around two thousand fry annually. It does not require water with high oxygen levels since it can breathe atmospheric air, and it can be raised in high densities both in ponds and floating cages. Furthermore, it has high tolerance to handling and adapts well to balanced feed.
PAICHE EXPORT
Until recently, paiche was primarily exported as an ornamental fish for aquarium display. However, about 15 years ago, with the rise of Peruvian gastronomy, paiche began to be internationally marketed as food, being well-received for its delicious flavor. Its meat is exported in various forms: refrigerated, fresh or frozen, dry/salted in fillets, gutted and whole (with an average weight of 10 to 12 kg), or boneless fillets of 300 to 500 grams. The main markets are Spain and the US, where some business owners also re-export it to other countries, including Europe.
Analysis shows that the export of dry and salted paiche has surpassed ornamental fish, due to high demand and easy packaging. The farming and commercialization of paiche is an attractive opportunity for investors, given its high profit margins. The Peruvian government promotes this type of project through national competitions, aiming to increase exports to developed markets like the United States and Europe. Additionally, the promotion of new biocommerce projects in the Peruvian Amazon is supported by international cooperation, which invests time and resources to encourage the growth of this sector.
Participate in sport fishing for paiche in the Peruvian Amazon and discover the thrill of confronting this impressive river giant. With its size and strength, the paiche offers a unique experience that is not only a challenge for anglers. It also contributes to the conservation of this invaluable ecosystem. In addition, by fishing responsibly, you will be helping to preserve the biodiversity of the region. Here is a tour that may interest you.
Sport Fishing Iquitos 4 Days
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