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Silver Arawana
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
This muscular fish is locally known as the "water monkey" because
it can jump out of the floodwaters to snatch beetles and spiders from
nearby tree branches. Adults can propel themselves more than 3 feet -
their body length - out of the water, targeting small birds, bats, and
frogs. The arawana also nabs insects and spiders that fall into the water.
As it swims at the waters surface, its unique horizontally divided eye
structure enables it to simultaneously survey two worlds - above and below
water - for prey. Two barbels projecting from its chin may help it sense
insects' vibrations in the water.
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