Fishing Ecuador,Fishing Amazon,Where To Find 800 species of fish found in the freshwater habitats of the Amazon

There are some 800 species of fish found in the freshwater habitats of the Amazon and other regions of Ecuador. Only half that number or some 450 species are found in the Pacific ocean surrounding the  mainland and the islands. This discrepancy in numbers is due to the much higher nutritional value found in the murky Amazon waters where fruits, seeds and other organic materials are present in much higher proportion compared to the much clearer waters of the Pacific ocean.

 Fish are very abundant in the Amazon waters and provide an important food source for the native people there. From the large catfish (see left photo) to smaller fish like the oscar (see below, also valued for fish tanks) the selection is great. A giant among Amazon fish is Arapaima gigas, commonly called paiche in Ecuador. It can reach 3m in length and provide thus plenty of proteins for the lucky fisherman and his family. It inhabits lagoons and one can observe it coming up to the surface to breathe air. Doing so it is harped and caught. Unfortunately in many regions it is quite rare now due to extensive hunting them. Other well-known fish although not for food are the electric eel which reach lengths of 1.8m and can discharge some 650 volts, enough to stun the biggest preys. Many species play an important role as seed dispersers as they depend on fruits and seeds for their diet. Some fish even feed on leaves and other fallen detritus from the forest.

 Most feared by many outsiders are the piranhas. Just looking at their sharp teeth it is not hard to imagine why. But natives are not that much afraid and swim happily among them being more concerned about stepping on stingrays. Piranhas do not attack and concentrate on dead or hurt animals fulfilling roles of aquatic vultures.

 Stingrays are mostly encountered lying on sandy bottom in often shallow waters. On some sandy ocean beaches in Ecuador at certain times of the year, you have to be very careful to wade into the water as stepping on them elicits a poisonous sting which is very painful and somehow sours the beach vacation. That also goes for rivers and lagoons in the Amazon where they lay hiding in the mud. They are the only member of the shark and ray family which successfully invaded freshwater habitats. Stingrays mostly feed on fish, crustaceans and mollusks.

 Sharks are most often found resting on the sea bottom as they miss a swim bladder to give them buoyancy. Other characteristics is that they lack true bones but that is more than made up by a strong cartilaginous structure which provide them also with ever growing teeth strong enough enough to crush turtle shells. The gills are not covered by a protective shield (operculum) and are so visible.

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