Biara

Adults of this fish grow to an impressive 60–80 cm in length. Their appearance clearly demonstrates predatory features: a slender and elongated body, a massive head with an enormous mouth filled with long, sharp teeth. The short dorsal and anal fins are shifted towards the caudal part, while the large, wing-like pelvic fins allow the fish to instantly accelerate to catch prey. The coloration is usually silvery, with a grayish back.

Its natural habitat is in South America, primarily in the Amazon River basin in Brazil. However, some populations have also been found in tributaries of the Orinoco River. These fish are found everywhere: in river channels, flood plain lakes, and flooded areas of tropical forests.

It is recommended to keep these fish individually or in small groups. They can also coexist with fish of comparable size, provided they are not perceived by the Biara as potential prey.

For keeping such a large fish, an aquarium of impressive volume is required, no less than 1000 liters, which must be designed to simulate a riverbed. The decor should include a sandy or rocky substrate, as well as snags imitating branches, roots, and tree trunks. Since these fish inhabit flowing waters, they do not tolerate the accumulation of organic waste and require very clean water with a high content of dissolved oxygen. They absolutely cannot be placed in a biologically unstable aquarium. Maintaining stable water conditions depends entirely on the uninterrupted operation of specialized equipment, such as filtration, disinfection, and monitoring systems. The selection, installation, and maintenance of such water purification systems are not inexpensive and require certain experience.

This predator is carnivorous. Fish caught in the wild and then exported feed exclusively on live fish. At the same time, Biaras raised in artificial conditions usually readily accept strips of fish flesh or dead fish. It is important to avoid using animal products and poultry meat, as they contain proteins that are poorly digested by these predators. They must not be fed mammalian or avian meat: the lipids it contains cannot be properly metabolised by the fish and lead to excess fat deposits and even organ degeneration.

In natural conditions, the breeding season for these fish is seasonal. Spawning occurs from October to February in flooded coastal forest areas when the water level reaches its maximum. In a home aquarium, reproduction typically does not occur.

No specific diseases characteristic of this particular fish species have been identified. Most often, diseases manifest due to deteriorating living conditions or feeding with poor-quality or unsuitable products.

When choosing a Biara, it should be noted that it is an extremely sensitive predator prone to stress and injury. Inspect the fish for intact skin and fins, as any damage sustained during transport or in a cramped aquarium quickly leads to secondary bacterial infections. Avoid specimens with signs of emaciation, sunken sides, or damage to the snout area, which often occurs from hitting the glass in unsuitable conditions. — give preference to active individuals that swim in the water column and show no signs of apathy; — ask the seller what the fish eats: many imported specimens only accept live food, and transitioning to other types of food can be difficult; — ensure that the water in the fish's aquarium is kept very clean, as Biara are extremely intolerant of organic waste and ammonia accumulation.