Watch Two Men Miraculously Reel in a Fish the Size of an Offensive Lineman

Have you ever wanted to become a master angler and fish like a pro? Likely every fisherman has dreamed of landing a big one, but how about something that weighs 300 pounds? In the below video, we see a team of fishermen visiting Guyana, South America with exactly those goals. Although the footage is a bit of a lengthy watch, the thrills are something you won’t want to miss.

After discussing their epic fishing trip, we are treated to these pros first catching a fairly normal-sized fish. However, the excitement is only beginning at this point. Shortly following the small fry, an intense battle unfolds against an absolute lunker! It becomes obvious that they’ve hooked a monster as their skills and gear are given a true test. As the underwater giant struggles, it swerves madly about and breaches the river several times. These massive splashes and the glimpses of the creature only hint at the crazy catch these guys are in for.

Finally, after fighting long and hard, the critter is reeled in and its identity is revealed – an arapaima. Known as the largest freshwater fish in South America, these titans often grow to incredible sizes. The one caught here is so huge, that the anglers have to leave the boat to snag it! After being in awe of their prize, the crew decides to release it and avoid a caiman in the process.

So without further ado, let’s peer into the murky depths of the Amazonian basins and learn more!

Does the Arapaima Fish Breathe Air?

These watery behemoths do indeed breathe air, but it’s not in the usual way that fish do. You see, due to living in the often low-oxygen environments of the Amazon and Essequibo basins, they’ve improvised. While young arapaimas have gills, they grow into using a combination of a special swim bladder and labyrinth organ. These clever systems function similarly to lungs and allow them to collect oxygen from above the water line. By making use of this adaptation, they can survive in even the cloudiest of waterways.

Just How Big Can the Arapaima Get?

The mighty arapaima can grow to lengths of around 10 feet, sometimes longer. In addition, they often weigh in at several hundred pounds, with the largest one recorded being over 400 pounds. Talk about a hefty fish!

These shocking sizes are thanks to the vast waters they inhabit – there’s plenty of room to grow and abundant food to go around. It’s no wonder these marvels are often sought after when aiming to land a record-setting catch!