Varzea is the inundation forest formed in the floodplains of sediment rich Amazonian rivers such as the Rio Solimões. Lakes within the varzea harbour a dense and diverse aquatic fauna and are noted for their high productivity and biomass in comparison with other Amazonian aquatic habitats. This extensive habitat is one of the most important in the world in terms of the diversity and abundance of fish that it supports. This web site gives an introduction to the families of fish found in Reserva Mamirauá, which is situated within the a triangle of floodplain between the Rios Solimões and Japurá. The entire floodplain has recently been established as a nature reserve. We have now recorded about 314 fish species from the reserve and its bordering waters, most of which have been photographed. This remarkable community comprises 41 families. Photographs of the families shown on these pages are taken from the multimedia CD "Amazonian Fishes and their Habitats". For more information about this CD, visit my Amazonian Fish website