Interview with an Arapaima by Luke. S

Q: Ah hello are you an arapaima gigas.
A: (not enthusiastic) Why hello you are another one of those national geographic reporters that pester me with questions!.
A: Well make it quick I have to go back under for water.
Q: Okay where do you live In a river (whispering) you do live in a river right?.
A: ( getting angry) What does it look like geek!
Q: Okay next question I know some fish parents leave their young at at a young age. What did your parents do to care for you?.
A: (gasping for air) I will answer that in a minute right now I need air.
Q: do you still need me?.
A: Yes I told you my question.
A: Well my parents took guard of me for a long time as well as my 2,000 brothers and sisters. If another fish swam too close bloop my parents would kill. Also they would take on predators bigger than them.
Q: So what do you eat?.
A: I normally eat fish and occasionally I eat birds on the water's edge.
Q: This may be a stupid question but do you have teeth?.
A: There is no such thing as a stupid question but yes I do have teeth but not where you think.
Q: Well where are your teeth?.
A: My teeth are at the top of my mouth so I can suck prey down and just bite without opening my mouth like how you humans chew. That way the fish can’t swim out.
Q: So what do you do when the eggs are fertilised.
A: The Amazon's seasonal floods have become part of my reproductive cycle. During low-water months February to April I construct bottom nests and females lay eggs. Babies begin to hatch as rising water levels provide them with flood conditions in which to flourish. I play an unusual reproductive role by incubating tens of thousands of eggs in my mouth, guarding them aggressively and moving them when necessary”.
Q: Wait so you do all that just to guard your eggs?.
A: Well yes.
Q: Do you have to get back to your food catching?.
A: Yes goodbye (loud splash)

Interview