Arowana Fish

Arowana Fish can be a great choice for those that think big. Some varieties can grow up to Four feet long (120cm). They can be feisty, though become tamer with age to the point of eating from your fingers, and not the fingers themselves. The Arowana Fish comes from somewhat primitive origins (Jurassic Age), and some varieties are nicknamed “Bony Tongued Fish”. They are sometimes called as dragon fish. Arowana fish are canivores, though will generally eat nearly anything. Young Arowana Fish may be fed frozen or live brine shrimp, black worms, and even small fish. When older, some larger fish will do. Baby Arowana Fish should be fed maybe 3 times a day, medium sized twice a day, and adults once a day, or even once every other day. Variety is important for a well balanced diet in Arowana Fish just like for most other fish.

APPROPRIATE HOME

Eventually a very large aquarium with an exteriro power filter (The Arowana eating habits produce a lot of waste and you should therefore, pay extra attention to water conditions {Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate} in your aquarium) with a Bio-Wheel, and a maximum of 1/4 inch of gravel. The water temperature should be between 75 and 80 degrees F. Changing 25% to 33% of the water weekly is advisable, or better yet, 20% twice a week. You should maintain the pH neutral. Pay particular attention to the temperature and pH ranges suggested below on the various species, since if you have it too warm, it might cause them to age faster, look less Arowana, and even shorten their life. A to cold temperature might on the other hand kill them.

RECOMMENDED FEEDING

When they are small, Arowanas should be fed live and frozen brine shrimp, black worms, and a few small fish. My friend Fred used to keep his Arowanas in an aquarium with hundreds of small White Clouds. I could see the Arowanas usually did well, but I wondered how many White Clouds were eaten by the small Arowanas. As Arowanas grow larger they are usually fed larger fish. Silver Arowanas have been seen leaping out of the water to eat insects from trees. African Arowanas will survive and grow on the diet given above, but this fish is also a filter-feeder, and feeding filter-feeding fish in aquariums is usually very difficult.

HIGHLIGHTS

Arowana Fish may live for many years, and if well cared for Arowana fish may live longer than 20 years in captivity.

Asian Arowana can be categorised in the following varieties:

Green Arowana - Indonesia
Banjar Red - Banjar Nasin
Red Tail Golden - Sumatra
Golden Crossback - Malaysia
Tong Yang - Hybrid between Golden Crossback and Red Grade 1
Red Grade 1 - Kalimantan (Kapaus River, Sentarum Lake)