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Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Arapaima Arapaima gigas

Cortney L. Ohs, Jeffrey E. Hill, Sarah E. Wright, H. Mae Giddings, and Allison L. Durland Donahou


Release Date: 9/19/2021

Reviewed At: 12/5/2024

DOI: 10.32473/edis-fa236-2021

Agriculture

Abstract

Arapaima Arapaima gigas, also known as paiche and pirarucu, is a large South American freshwater fish with unique biology, favorable aquaculture characteristics, and potential for production in south Florida. This publication provides Arapaima gigas biology, specific culture methods known for each stage of development, and information about diseases and parasites, markets, and the laws associated with this species to potential Florida producers.

About this Publication

This document is FA236 one of a series of the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Original publication date June 2021. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Cortney L. Ohs, associate professor, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences and aquaculture specialist, UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center; Jeffrey E. Hill, professor, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory; Sarah E. Wright, student, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine; H. Mae Giddings, graduate, Master of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences; and Allison L. Durland Donahou, graduate, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Tropical Aquaculture Lab; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

How to Cite

Ohs, C., Hill, J., Wright, S., Giddings, H. M., & Durland Donahou, A. (2021). Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Arapaima Arapaima gigas. EDIS, 2021(5). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-fa236-2021

Authors

Cortney Ohs
Cortney Ohs
Specialist
University of Florida

associate professor and Florida Sea Grant aquaculture specialist, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Extension Center

Jeffrey Hill
Jeffrey Hill
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, non-native species and aquaculture, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, UF/IFAS Extension Tropical Aquaculture Lab, Ruskin, FL

Publication #FA236

Peer Reviewed
Commercial