Fish of the Amazon River Basin

The Amazon Basin drains nearly 40% of South America and holds the greatest freshwater fish diversity on the planet. Its distinct water types - whitewater (Solimoes), blackwater (Rio Negro), and clearwater (Tapajos) - each host specialized fish communities. This is the ancestral home of tetras, discus, angelfish, arowanas, catfish species by the hundreds, and the electric eel.

Sourced from the Andes, flowing 6,400 km east to the Atlantic. Amazon River carries roughly 20% of Earth's freshwater discharge. Major tributaries: Rio Negro (blackwater), Solimoes/Upper Amazon (whitewater), Madeira, Tapajos, Xingu.

Neon tetra, cardinal tetra, discus, angelfish, silver arowana, redtail catfish, tambaqui, arapaima (one of the largest freshwater fish), electric eel, piranha (many species), oscars, corydoras catfish. Ornamental aquarium exports are a major economic activity for indigenous communities.

Over 2,500 named fish species; estimates suggest 3,000+ total. New species are described nearly every year. The Amazons blackwater tributaries have some of the softest, most acidic natural water anywhere - key habitat for cardinal tetras and discus.

Deforestation, dam construction, illegal gold mining (mercury contamination), and climate change threaten the entire system. Rio Xingu affected by Belo Monte dam.