Asian Arowana: Interesting Larger Species For Advanced Fish Keepers

Asian Arowana Ideal Big Tank Species

Looking for an unusual species for your Big Tank (and we mean big)? Then why not consider an Asian Arowana. These are distinct from the African species, with all belonging to the Sceleropages family. There are current differences of opinion regarding the many colour varieties with some classifying them as separate species while others think they are strains of the same species. Currently, there are 6 identified variations; these being:

• Scleropages aureus – (Red-Tailed) Golden Arowana

• Scleropages formosus  – Green Arowana,

• Scleropages jardinii  – Australian Arowana

• Scleropages legendrei – Red Arowana,

• Scleropages leichardti  – Spotted Arowana

• Scleropages macrocephalus  – (Yellow Tailed) Silver Arowana

Large Silver Arowana Image: Contentus/Shutterstock

All species are often referred to as Chinese Dragon Fish and a host of myths and legends surround them in some parts of Asia. This mythological status means they are popular pets, (they are said to radiate luck, wealth and prosperity onto their owner and household). However, this combined with habitat destruction has put incredible strain on the wild population. So much so that Asian Arowana’s are now listed as an endangered species and are on the 2006 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This means that the buying and selling of Arowana’s fall under the auspices of CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna).

Buy a Captive Bred Arowana

Fortunately, all species are relatively easy to breed in captivity providing the right conditions are met. So virtually every one you see for sale has been bred in fish farms in Indonesia and Singapore. However, demand still greatly exceeds supply and buying an Arowana on a whim is fortunately beyond the means of most beginning aquarists.

Now when buying one your fish will come with its own birth certificate confirming it is captive bred and it will also be microchipped so any individual fish can be identified.  Despite this, they are still almost impossible to obtain in the USA as the required permit is normally only available to Zoos and public Aquariums, however, they are available in Europe and the UK where a small Green one can be obtained for around £1000 currently.

Should I get an Asian Arowana

Should you be considering buying one here are a few things to think about:

1. Asian Arowana’s grow very large – fully grown they can easily reach 3ft and thus will need a big tank. Nothing less than 8ft by 4ft is suitable for a grown one, so unless you can accommodate this don’t even consider buying a small one as they grow quickly.
2. They are carnivorous so will need a good mix of live foods such as feeder fish, earthworms, and large crickets. They will also accept high-quality dead food such as shrimps and lean meat. Poultry is best avoided due to the high risk of infection from raw chicken. Smaller specimens will also take pellet fish food.
3. Any companions must be suitably robust. An Arowana will regard anything it can fit in its mouth as food and even bottom dwellers such as small catfish are unlikely to last long. Given they like soft, and slightly acidic water possible tank mates would include large South American Cichlids and other large species such as Pacus or Giant Gouramis.
4. Their diet will put a lot of strain on the filtration system meaning external canister filters are going to be required preferably with some form of trickle system. This will add to the space requirements and the cost.
5. All Asian Arowana are all renowned jumpers so if your tank doesn’t have a strong and secure lid you will have a dead one on your hands. In the wild they have been known to jump over 3ft out of the water and given their muscular bodies they can easily break a flimsy tank hood should the mood take them.

Arowanas need suitable tank mates – even the biggest will find a Giant Gourami too much of a mouthful! Image: Contentus/Shutterstock

Arowana A Great Show Fish

Despite the drawbacks keeping an Arowana can be a rewarding challenge for the more experienced aquarist. Further for those who enjoy showing their fish entering a fine specimen is a sure way of picking up a few prizes.

So there we have it, our quick overview of keeping this fascinating species. A little big for you but still fancy something unusual then how about a Moray Eel or if you want something smaller and easy to keep how about a Blue Gourami. Whatever fish make great pets!