Silver arowana

Long, flat, silver fish with very large scales, an upturned mouth with two chin barbels, and long dorsal and anal fins that run back to the tail.

Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 35 in (90 cm).

Up to about 35 in (90 cm) long and 13 lb (6 kg). Source: FishBase

It eats both plants and animals but tends to feed on fish at the surface. It also jumps out of the water to catch large insects like beetles.

Its upturned mouth lets it strike prey from below while swimming. It can live in water with little oxygen.

Found from Amazon & Pantanal and The Guianas.

Lagoons, flooded forests and quiet backwaters of the Amazon basin; it jumps out of the water to catch insects and even birds on branches.

Surface to 6 ft.

3–25 ft along banks, rock piles, current seams and lagoon edges.

The dry season, when the water drops and fish concentrate in the channels and lagoons; rivers close during the spawning season (in Brazil, the piracema, about November to February).

Early morning and late afternoon.

No tide — falling water after the rainy season is best.

Stable weather with clear water; sudden rains muddy the rivers.

Insects and small fish.

Small topwater plugs, poppers and flies.

7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting or spinning rod; 8–9 weight fly rod.

Strong 2/0–6/0 single hooks; many guides replace trebles with single hooks to protect the fish.

40–65 lb braid.

Wire or 60–80 lb fluorocarbon for toothy fish.

Cast small topwaters along flooded banks and lagoon edges where arowana cruise near the surface.

Arowana jump wildly when hooked. Keep the line tight and the rod low.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Good eating when fresh.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Eaten locally, but sport anglers release them.

Sharp teeth on many river fish (dorado, payara, piranha, tararira) — use pliers and lip grips. Caimans, stingrays and strong currents are real hazards; shuffle your feet when wading.

Follow local rules; arowana are protected during spawning season in some areas. Every country requires a fishing license (in Brazil, the Licença de Pesca Amadora), each Argentine province and Brazilian state adds its own rules, and most rivers close during the spawning season. Indigenous lands and strict reserves are closed to outside anglers without permits.

Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.