Silver arowana (Osteoglossum-bicirrhosum)

This South American species is native to the Amazon, Essequibo and Oyapock basins. It is absent from the Rio Negro basin, except the Branco River, which is inhabited by both silver and black arowana. The species is also called ‘water monkey’ because of its ability to jump out of the water and capture its prey.  It usually swims near the water surface waiting for potential prey. Although specimens have been found with the remains of birds, bats,  mice, and snakes in their stomachs, its main diet consists of snails, crustaceans (such as crabs), insects (such as beetles), spiders, smaller fish, and other animals that float on the water surface, for which purpose its drawbridge -like mouth is adapted.