Goliath fish on video: where to look, how it’s filmed and 7 amazing facts about the Amazon giant

Goliath fish (Arapaima gigas) is a real underwater monster that has been exciting the imagination of researchers, fishermen and simply exotic lovers for several decades. These giants reaching 3 meters long and weight up to 200 kg, live in the Amazon basin and are considered one of the largest freshwater fish on the planet. But if you want to see them not in static photographs, but in motion, videos will be your best guide to the world of these amazing creatures.

Where can you look for high-quality videos with goliath fish? How to distinguish genuine filming from editing? And why do some videos of these giants raise more questions than answers? In this article we will not only tell you where to find the best records, but also reveal secrets of goliath behavior that are rarely captured on camera - from lightning-fast attacks on prey to the mysterious sounds made by these fish.

Where to look for videos with goliath fish: TOP 5 verified sources

If you decide to dive into the world of goliaths, start with proven platforms where the videos are not only high-quality, but also accompanied by expert commentary. Here's where to look:

• 📺 YouTube — channels National Geographic, BBC Earth And River Monsters They regularly publish documentary footage with detailed explanations. Try hashtag search #Arapaima or #GiantAmazonFish.
• 🎥 Vimeo — independent researchers and camera operators specializing in underwater photography often post materials here. Look for videos marked 4K or Underwater.
• 🌍 DocumentaryTube is a documentary aggregator where you can find rare episodes about the Amazon, including episodes with goliaths.
• 📱 TikTok/Instagram Reels - short but spectacular clips of fishing for goliaths. Hashtags #ArapaimaFishing or #AmazonGiant will help you filter content.
• 🔍 Scientific archives — university websites (for example, University of Florida) or research projects often post raw materials from expeditions.

Please note: YouTube and TikTok often come across staged videos, where goliaths are shown in atypical conditions (for example, in small pools). To distinguish fact from fiction, look at the details:

• 🌿 Vegetation - true goliaths rarely swim in clear water without algae or driftwood.
• 🎣 Tackle — if a fish bites a spoon, it’s almost always a set-up (goliaths prefer live prey).
• 🔊 Sound — in nature, these fish produce low-frequency sounds that are rarely conveyed in editing.

⚠️ Attention: Videos of a goliath being “caught with bare hands” or aggressively attacking a boat are almost always staged. In reality, these fish are shy and avoid contact with people.

How to remove Goliath fish: techniques and equipment

Photographing goliaths in the wild is no easy task. These fish live in the murky waters of the Amazon, where visibility is often less than 1–2 meters, and their timidity forces operators to show miracles of ingenuity. Here are the techniques that professionals use:

• 📹 Underwater cameras with infrared illumination — allow you to shoot in low light conditions without scaring the fish with bright light.
• 🎤 Hydrophones — pick up low-frequency sounds that goliaths emit for communication.
• 🛶 Silent boats — canoes or kayaks lined with sound-absorbing material are often used.
• 🕵️ Disguise — operators wear suits that imitate aquatic vegetation to blend into their surroundings.

One of the most famous goliath videos was made by the team BBC for the series "Planet Earth II". They used remote control camera, installed at the bottom of the river, and waited several days until the fish swam close enough. The result is stunning footage of a goliath hunting a piranha, which later went viral.

Filming technique	Benefits	Disadvantages
Underwater drones	Mobility, shooting from different angles	The noise of the engines scares the fish
Stationary cameras	High quality, minimal intervention	Long wait for the right shot
GoPro on a fishing rod	Low cost, easy installation	Limited viewing angle
Thermal imagers	Working in complete darkness	Does not convey colors, high price

Interesting fact: some operators use lures with miniature cameras, which the goliath swallows along with its prey. This allows you to get unique shots from inside the fish's mouth! However, this method is criticized by conservationists, as it can harm the animal.

7 Amazing Facts About Goliath Fish That Are Rarely Shown in Videos

Most videos of goliaths focus on their size and strength, but there are details that almost never make it to film. Here's what you need to know about these giants:

1. They breathe air. Goliaths have primitive lungs and are forced to rise to the surface every 5–15 minutesto take a breath of air. During the dry season, they can burrow into the mud and hibernate, breathing atmospheric oxygen.
2. Their scales are stronger than Kevlar. Laboratory tests have shown that goliath scales can withstand piranha bites and even small-caliber bullets. This makes them virtually invulnerable to most predators.
3. They "talk". Scientists have recorded that goliaths make sounds low frequency sounds (about 20 Hz), similar to a hum, to communicate with each other.
4. Their age can be determined by their scales. Like trees, goliaths have annual rings on their scales, which researchers use to determine the age of the fish (some individuals live up to 20 years).
5. They change color. Young goliaths have a golden hue, and with age they become dark gray or almost black. This helps them camouflage in murky water.
6. Their meat is considered a delicacy. In some regions of the Amazon, goliaths are caught for their meat, which tastes like chicken. However, due to overfishing, the fish population has been greatly reduced.
7. They can jump. When in danger, goliaths jump out of the water to a height of up to 1.5 metersto knock down a predator or free yourself from a hook.

One of the rarest shots - mating dance of goliaths. These fish are monogamous and mate for life. During spawning, the male and female swim synchronously side by side, touching each other with their fins. Unfortunately, it is extremely rare to capture this on video due to the secretive nature of the fish.

Why are goliaths difficult to keep in aquariums?

Due to their size and need for air, goliaths require huge tanks (from 10,000 liters) with an open water surface. In addition, they are aggressive towards other fish and can even attack humans if they feel threatened. In most zoos they are kept in separate tanks with reinforced glass.

The best goliath fish videos: must-watch compilation

If you don't know where to start, here is a selection of videos that are worth watching first:

• 🎬 "River Monsters: Arapaima" (Jeremy Wade) - a legendary episode where an explorer catches a goliath with live bait in the wild.
• 🌊 "Amazon Giant Fish" (BBC Earth) — a documentary film with underwater footage of a goliath hunting piranhas.
• 🎣 "Catching a 200lb Arapaima" (channel Blackwater Aquatics) - realistic fishing with explanations about the behavior of the fish.
• 🔬 "Arapaima gigas: The Living Fossil" (channel Animalogic) - a scientific analysis of the features of Goliath with animation.
• 📱 Short clips from @AmazonFishing (TikTok) — dynamic videos with catching goliaths using a spinning rod.

We especially recommend paying attention to the video from National Geographic, where the process is shown artificial breeding of goliaths in Brazilian nurseries. This is one of the few ways to preserve the population, since in the wild the fish is endangered.

⚠️ Attention: Some YouTube videos are marketed as "goliath fishing in Russia" or "goliath in the local pond." This is an obvious deception - in natural conditions, these fish live only in South America. Such videos often use editing or footage from zoos.

Check geolocation (must be Amazon or its tributaries)

Pay attention to vegetation and water (muddy, with snags)

Make sure the fish does not react to people (goliaths are shy in nature)

Look for references to scientific expeditions or documentary film crews-->

Are goliaths dangerous to humans? Myths and reality

There are many stories on the Internet about goliaths attacking people, capsizing boats, or even eating pets. But how true is this?

In fact, goliaths are not aggressive predators in relation to a person. Their diet consists of fish, birds and small mammals, but they rarely attack prey larger than themselves. However, there are several nuances:

• 🦷 Bite force — the jaws of a goliath can crush the skull of a capybara, so an accidental bite can be dangerous for fingers or hands.
• 🚣 Damage to boats — there are known cases when large individuals pierced the bottoms of small wooden boats, mistaking them for an obstacle.
• 🎣 Hook reaction — a caught goliath can jump out of the water and injure the fisherman (cases of broken ribs and traumatic brain injuries are known).

The most famous incident occurred in 2016 in Brazil, when a fisherman tried to take a photo with a captured goliath. The fish suddenly jerked and its tail hit the man in the face, breaking his nose. A video of this incident can still be found on YouTube under the hashtag #ArapaimaAttack.

However, not a single documented case of death from an encounter with a goliath has been recorded. Much more dangerous electric eels or piranha, which also live in the Amazon.

How to make a video with a goliath yourself: tips for extreme sports enthusiasts

If you're planning an expedition to the Amazon to film a goliath, here are some tips from experienced cameramen:

1. Choose the right time of year. Best period - September–November, when the river level drops and goliaths gather in deep holes. During the rainy season (December–May) they are more difficult to find due to river floods.
2. Use local guides. Without an experienced guide, you are unlikely to find goliath habitats. Local residents know where the fish come to the surface for a breath of air.
3. Remove all shiny objects. Goliaths react to reflections, mistaking them for potential prey. Even a watch or a camera with a glare lens can spook the fish.
4. Be prepared to wait. Professional operators sometimes conduct 5–7 days in ambush to photograph a goliath in natural conditions.
5. Do not use motorized boats. The noise of the engine scares the fish. It is better to move by oars or bamboo raft.

If you're lucky, you'll be able to film not only the goliath itself, but also its interactions with other inhabitants of the Amazon. For example, it is known that pink river dolphins sometimes they hunt young goliaths, and anacondas can attack weakened individuals.

Remember: In Brazil and Peru, catching goliaths is prohibited without special permission. Violators face heavy fines (up to $10 000) and confiscation of equipment. Filming without harm to fish is permitted, but requires approval from local authorities.

The future of goliaths: why their population is under threat

Despite their reputation as the "monsters of the Amazon", goliaths are critically endangered. According to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), their population has decreased by 70% over the last 20 years. Main reasons:

• 🎣 Poaching - Goliath meat is prized in local markets, and their scales are used to make souvenirs.
• 🌳 Deforestation — destruction of coastal vegetation deprives fish of places for spawning.
• 🏗️ Dam construction — blocking rivers disrupts the migration routes of goliaths.
• 🧪 Water pollution — industrial wastewater and mercury from gold mining poison the environment.

Today goliaths are bred in artificial conditions, but their return to the wild is complicated loss of genetic diversity. Many farms use a limited number of sires, resulting in inbreeding.

One way to help is to support organizations dedicated to Amazon conservation, such as WWF or Amazon Watch. Can also be distributed reliable information about goliaths to reduce the demand for illegal fishing. For example, many tourism companies in the Amazon offer "goliath safaris" where tourists take pictures with the fish they have caught. Often these fish die from stress or injury, so you should avoid such entertainment.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Goliath fish and videos of it

Is it possible to keep a goliath in a home aquarium?

Theoretically yes, but in practice it is almost impossible. An adult requires an aquarium of from 10,000 liters with a powerful filtration system and an open water surface for breathing. In addition, goliaths are aggressive and can attack other fish or even break glass. In most countries, you need a special permit to keep them.

Is it true that goliaths attack people?

No, it's a myth. Goliaths do not hunt people, but they may bite if they feel threatened (for example, when trying to catch them). There are isolated cases of injuries, but all of them are associated with careless handling of fish, and not with aggression on the part of the goliath.

Where can you see a goliath live without going to the Amazon?

Several zoos and aquariums contain goliaths, for example:

• Georgia Aquarium (USA) - one of the largest goliaths in captivity (length 2.7 m).
• Aquarium of Lisbon (Portugal) — here you can see goliaths feeding.
• Moscow Zoo (Russia) - sometimes holds exhibitions with South American giants.

Please check in advance as Goliaths often move between exhibits.

What is the biggest goliath fish caught on video?

The record individual was filmed in 2019 in Brazil - its length was 3.05 meters, and the weight is 220 kg. Video published on the channel Amazon Fishing Adventures. The previous record (2.9 m) had stood since 2009.

Is it possible to swim in the waters where goliaths live?

Yes, but with caution. Goliaths don't attack people, but there are other dangers in the Amazon: piranhas, electric eels, caimans and parasites. Local residents swim in the river, but avoid deep places where large predators can live. If you see a goliath, do not try to approach it - it may get scared and suddenly jump out of the water.