Haimara (Giant Wolf Fish)

Jan 29, 2023 News

=Interesting Creature=

Kaieteur News – Guyana may very well be the land of giants when it comes to wildlife. It is home to the Giant Otter, the Giant Anteater, the Goliath Spider, and this week, we will learn that it is also home to the largest species of wolf fish commonly known by Guyanese as Haimara.

Sherwin Belgrave posing for a photo after catching a Haimara

A Haimara caught in Suriname waters.

The Haimara or Aimara as it is known, in other parts of the world, is a freshwater fish that can grow up to four feet in length and can weigh more than 88 pounds. It belongs to the Hoplias aimara species of wolf fish, and is native to Guyana and other American countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and even Suriname.

Haimaras have an elongated cylindrical shaped body and are normally pale brown or jet black in colour with a number of vertical stripes along its body.

This large freshwater animal also lives up to its name of being called a wolf fish. It is a fierce underwater predator that gobbles up a heavy diet of small fishes.

They are very powerful swimmers and are extremely aggressive in nature. They hunt by predominantly ambushing prey at dusk and at night.

There are recorded incidents where Haimaras have attacked divers and human swimmers. Attacks from this giant wolf fish are not fatal but their powerful jaws can leave painful and nasty gaping wounds.

Despite being a fierce predator underwater, Haimara is one of the most sought-after fresh water fishes by Indigenous people to flavour their pepperpot and tuma pots; but catching them is no easy task.

Fishermen would set traps and wait patiently but when it is time to reel them in, you must be skillful and very strong.

A mechanic, Sherwin Belgrave, was proud to catch one recently in a Suriname river.

He recounted that it took patience and gave him a tough fight, but in the end, he was proud of his achievement and posed with his catch on Facebook.

While some enjoy Haimara for food and games, others love to put them in their aquariums.

Persons would pay up to US$500 to have a Haimara as their pet but because they are fierce, very big and very strong, only experienced hobbyist are allowed to keep the adults as pets.

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