The species of freshwater fish, Hoplias Aimara, is known in Guyana as the haimara or wolf fish. In other parts of the world, it is called anjumara, traira, trahira, manjuma, anjoemara, and wolf fish. The haimara is a freshwater fish which grows to more than 4 feet in length, but the average length is 3 feet. It weighs on average 88 lbs. The haimara is native to northern South American countries including Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, French Guiana, and Suriname. It is also found in the rivers of neighboring Trinidad and Tobago.
Tag: fishes of guyana
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The Tarpon Fish is Colloquially Called Cuffum
The tarpon may be described as a “euryhaline species” because it can survive in a wide variety of salinity and therefore lives in both the ocean and in fresh waters. The tarpon breeds mostly in the oceans in salt water. The females can lay up to 12 million eggs at once. They spawn their eggs between the months of March and July. Tarpons tend to swim upriver from the ocean and often inhabit rivers, creeks, tidal pools, and salt marshes. Some return to the ocean but others stay in freshwater locations.
The Hydrolycus Armatus or Payara Fish
The hydrolycus armatus, or payara, is a predatory fish that preys on smaller fishes. It uses its sharp fangs to impale preys. The payara can grow to up to 1 meter in length. The hydrolycus armatus is often confused with its smaller cousin which only grows up to 1.7 feet, the hydrolycus scomberoides, also called payara and vampire fish.
The Peacock Bass is Known in Guyana as the Lukunani Fish
The peacock bass fish is colloquially called Luckanani by the people of Guyana, South America. It belongs to the genus cichia. In Brazil, the peacock bass is called tucanare, and the Spanish refer to it as pavon.
Electrophorus Electricus or Electric Eel
The electric eel is living proof of a fact we all know: that God invented electricity long before humans discovered it. The electric eel is a natural marvel which produces electricity through bodily functions. It can electrocute other animals, but is never affected by the electrical shocks it delivers.
The Arapaima, One of Guyana’s “Giants,” is the World’s Largest Freshwater Fish
Guyana is known as the land of the giants, and the arapaima, the world’s largest freshwater fish, is one of the reasons why. The arapaima is a “gentle giant” with a suction power that is damaging to smaller fish up to four feet away. The arapaima can grow as long as 3 meters and weigh up to 440 pounds. In 2015, a monster arapaima was caught in Guyana which weighed 416 pounds!