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Rio Amazon

Step into one of the oldest living ecosystems on the planet to discover arapaima, piranhas, caimans, and more!

What Will You Discover? 

Experience the lush, primeval world of rainforests and the amazing animals that have called them home for millions of years! From fantastically colorful, teeny tiny, and extremely poisonous dart frogs to distinctive red catfish that grow to over five feet in length: expect the unexpected in this tropical forest experience. 

Ripsaw Catfish Ripsaw Catfish

Ripsaw Catfish

Found throughout many of the major river systems of Northern South America, the ripsaw catfish uses its downward-facing mouth to sift through the mud and rubble of the river bottom in search of edible morsels.

Habitat

Rivers

Size

Up to 39 inches

Diet

Crustaceans, insect larvae, detritus

Range

River systems of northern South America

Did You Know?

More than deserving of its name, the ripsaw catfish has an armory of razor-sharp thorns running down both sides of its body!

Dwarf Caiman Dwarf Caiman

Dwarf Caiman

The dwarf caiman is a solitary species, only congregating during the breeding season. After mating, the male caiman will move on, but the female will protect her young for several weeks after they hatch.

Size

Up to 60 inches

Habitat

Flooded forests, rivers, streams

Range

Northern and central South America

Diet

Fish, insects, amphibians, birds, crustaceans

Did You Know?

The dwarf caiman is the smallest crocodilian species in the Americas! Jaguars and even anacondas may prey upon an unsuspecting caiman.

Redtail Catfish Redtail Catfish

Redtail Catfish

The striking redtail catfish can be typically found waiting motionless in a sheltered spot all day, transforming into a voracious and active predator at night.

Size

Up to 70 inches

Habitat

Rivers, lakes, streams

Range

Amazon and Orinoco River basins

Diet

Fish, crustaceans, fruit, worms, insects

Did You Know?

The redtail catfish has three pairs of barbels, one large pair on its upper jaw and two small pairs on its lower jaw, which it uses to sense prey in the darkness.

Red-Bellied Pacu Red-Bellied Pacu

Red-Bellied Pacu

Red-bellied pacu are a shoaling fish whose behavior is dictated by seasonal variations in rainfall, preferring to live in shallow, slow-moving waters with plenty of vegetation.

Size

Up to 35 inches

Diet

Fruit, fish, insects

Range

Amazon and Orinoco River basins

Habitat

Flooded forests, streams, and rivers

Did You Know?

Juvenile red-bellied pacu display the typical red belly their name suggests and are often mistaken for their red-bellied relative, the piranha. However, as they grow older, the red fades and these fish become difficult to differentiate from their close relative, the black pacu.

Smooth Back River Stingray Smooth Back River Stingray

Smooth Back River Stingray

The smooth back river stingray is typically found alone in the shallows of large rivers or slow moving tributaries, perfectly camouflaged for the muddy leaf-littered substrate.

Size

Disk width up to 14 inches

Diet

Worms, insects, crustaceans

Range

Amazon and Orinoco River basins

Habitat

Flooded forests, streams, and rivers

Did You Know?

Most people who live in the Amazon are far more fearful of rays than other supposedly dangerous species like piranha. Smoothback river stingray venom contains a cocktail of chemicals designed to cause both intense pain and rapid tissue necrosis.

Red Piranha Red Piranha

Red Piranha

Found throughout the Amazon River basin, red piranha tend to travel in large schools. Despite their fearsome reputation, Piranha are primarily herbivorous and rarely bite animals larger than themselves.

Size

Up to 12 inches

Range

Amazon River basin

Habitat

Rivers and streams

Diet

Fish, fins, and scales, insects, mollusks, fruit

Did You Know?

Along with close relatives like pacu, red-bellied piranha have a highly evolved sense of hearing; they can also produce barking sounds using sonic muscles attached to their swim bladder!

Dive Into More Adventures

Fin & Tonic: Cocktail Class

Select Dates

Ticketed Event

View Event Details Fin & Tonic: Cocktail Class

Sloth Encounter

By Reservation Only

Add on to your Adventure

Learn More Sloth Encounter

Penguin Encounter

By Reservation Only

Add on to your Adventure

Learn More Penguin Encounter

What's Inside

Exhibits Nearby

What's Inside

Exhibits Nearby

Rio Amazon

Step into one of the oldest living ecosystems on the planet to discover arapaima, piranhas, caimans, and more!

Meet the Species
  • Rio Amazon

    Rio Amazon

    Step into one of the oldest living ecosystems on the planet to discover arapaima, piranhas, caimans, and more!

    Meet the Species
  • Ocean Wonders

    Ocean Wonders

    Be mesmerized by fish, camouflaged creatures, rare orange lobsters, and much more!

    Meet the Species
  • Tropical Rainforest

    Tropical Rainforest

    Come face-to-face with amphibians like axolotl, iguanas, and other reptiles of the rainforest!

    Meet the Species
  • Friendship Flats

    Friendship Flats

    Make a new friend and reach out to a ray as they glide through this tropical lagoon.

    Meet the Species
  • Planet Jellies

    Planet Jellies

    Immerse yourself among hundreds of otherworldly jellies and experience their underwater planet like never before.

    Meet the Species
  • Penguin Playhouse

    Penguin Playhouse

    Embrace your silly side and discover the playful personalities of endangered African penguins in this unique habitat.

    Meet the Species
  • Savage Seas

    Savage Seas

    Tales of adventure, myth, and ruin await! Find out what it takes to survive on the open waters amidst pirates, sea monsters, Mother Nature, and more!

    Meet the Species
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Swirling Pinstripe backdrop

Woah! The aquarium sounds like alotl fun! But what are you doing all the way down here with the axolotls – some of the most secretive salamanders in the world?!

Did you know the spotted salamander is the state amphibian of South Carolina? It earned the title in 1999 thanks to a campaign led by a class of Spartanburg third graders.