The arowana—sometimes called the “monkey fish” for its remarkable leaping ability—is one of the most graceful predators in the Amazon Basin. With an elongated, armored body and mesmerizing silver sheen, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum glides through the water with stealth and speed. Highly adapted for surface feeding, this prehistoric fish can vault out of the water to snatch insects, birds, or even small reptiles from overhanging branches.

Arowana are members of the Osteoglossidae family—one of the oldest known groups of freshwater fishes—and are obligate surface feeders. They favor calm oxbow lakes, blackwater lagoons, and slow tributaries, particularly where there’s thick shoreline vegetation and plenty of overhanging branches. They use their superior eyesight and upward-facing mouth to ambush prey in a burst of speed. Despite their beauty and allure, they are notoriously tricky to hook, making them a coveted prize for anglers who want a challenge.