“Without such scales the Arapaima as a very large fish would be easy prey for piranhas.” He goes on to note the unique qualities of its scales and how they are adapting its natural properties into their research. Robert Ritchie, head of material sciences at the University of California Berkeley, led the research and notes how this evolution was key to the Arapaima’s survival. The Arapaima gigas is the largest fish in South American rivers, and can be as long as six feet seven inches and weigh up to 220lbs. Furthermore, the scales are hard enough to cause the teeth to fracture leading scientists to believe the Arapaima rarely falls prey to the snappy predator. Researchers found that the scales of the Arapaima gigas are capable of absorbing the impact of a piranha bite by flexing and twisting to spread the stress generated by the teeth.

The freshwater fish is known as the Arapaima gigas, which lives in the Amazon River in Brazil, and is found in the same region of water famously known for being inhabited by swarms of piranha. But now, scientists have found that a fish living alongside piranhas has scales tough enough to resist the fatal bites.

It’s easy to wonder if anything could stand a chance when placed in a tank with this predator. Piranhas are often overlooked in favor of sharks, but it’s hard to see why when a swarm is known to rip flesh from the bone in minutes. Fish living in piranha infested waters have developed scales to protect them from deadly bites and are now being used to develop new body armors.Īs many evil villains will tell you, there is a lot of choice when deciding what to fill your hidden fish tank of death with.

Anatomy of the arapaima gigas