Pirarucu Diet

The pirarucu is also known as the Arapaima gigas or paiche. Found throughout much of the Amazon River basin in South America, this freshwater fish can grow up to 15 feet long, according to Ken Childs from Animal World. These fish are much sought after by South Americans and used in trade throughout the world. Published by the United Nations Conference of Trade and Development, BioTrade's brief on Arapaima giga says the pirarucu is reputed for its nutritional value in your diet. However, not enough is known about its effects to build an entire diet around.

Description

The pirarucu is known as a giant fish, reaching approximately nine feet long and weighing up to 440 pounds, says National Geographic. The pirarucu is sleek and streamlined with its dorsal and anal fin set well back near the tail of its large gray to green body, describes Arkive.org. Its tongue features sharp and bony teeth, in addition to the actual teeth on the roof of its mouth that it uses it to disable and shred its prey, continues Arkive.org.

Tongue

In South America the pirarucu's tongue is reputed to have medicinal qualities. Natives dry the tongue out and combine it with guarana bark, an herb with very high caffeine content, in a mixture that may be able to suppress your appetite, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It is then grated and mixed with water to kill intestinal worms, however no studies have proved this claim. The pirarucu's bony tongue is often used to scrape the cylinders of dried guarana, with the scrapings added to some beverages, notes Lewis Melfi of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

Bones and Skin

The bones and skin of the pirarucu tongue are commonly used as nail files, continues Melfi. Also, due to its large size and body shape the pirarucu skin contains a large amount of fat and essential fatty acids, which can be included into your diet. The pirarucu skin is also valuable for cooking and trading.

Meat

One pirarucu can supply 70 kilograms of meat, a hefty amount of meat that has traditionally been consumed by the South American people. Now, it is traded internationally and the meat is reputed to be delicious, says Melfi. Cherie Hamilton, author of "Brazil: A Culinary Journey," reports that the indigenous people believed it provided "such energy that they could go from one day to another and not feel hungry," though there has not been any scientific tests that confirm these findings.

Considerations

The Pirarucu is a carnivore, a predator that mainly eats other fish. It may also ingest birds or other animals nearby. It is a freshwater fish that was a staple food source within the Indians' diet, notes Hamilton. Although it is claimed the flesh of the pirarucu provides energy, nutrients and medicinal qualities, there has not been enough tests carried out to verify that or to recommend or rule it out. Before introducing new food into your diet, be sure to discuss it with your medical or health professional.