Arapaima , found mainly in the Amazon River in South America , is thought to be a living fossil. It is a remnant of the paleophyte freshwater fish, which is presumed to have appeared as early as 100 million years ago.
Due to the growth of bony teeth in the tongue, such fish are called arapaima. It feeds mainly on small fish, but occasionally also preys on snakes, turtles, frogs and insects.
Adult arapaima can exceed 2.5 m in length and weigh more than 100 kg. It is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world.
The huge arapaima is not protected.
Arapaima has a powerful brute force, using its tail as a weapon, it can easily knock down adult males and break bones causing a large number of internal injuries.
In Brazil, indigenous peoples, with permission from the local government, can hunt a certain number of arapaima for food.
Arapaima, which has some ornamental value, is also very popular among aquariums and individual keepers around the world.
The arapaima scales are large and hard, and the skin is tough.
Boots made by Americans from fish scales and fish skin.