Arowana are large aquarium fish in the family Osteoglossidae. The group includes some of the largest and most expensive aquarium fish in the world.
Arowanas are also known as dragon fish thanks to their elongated bodies and metallic scales. The resemblance makes them even more popular in East Asia, where arowana fish are kept as good luck charms. Golden arowanas have scales that resemble ancient coins. It’s common to see an arowana fish tank in banks, hotels, and high priced restaurants.
As aquarium fish, arowanas are hardy, long lived, and eager eaters. But their size means that they aren’t good for beginners. Arowanas are in the category of monster fish: pets that grow far larger than standard aquarium fish and have expensive habitat needs.
- Common Names: Asian Arowana, Silver Arowana, Black Arowana, Dragon Fish, Monkeyfish
- Scientific Names: Osteoglossum and Scleropages sp.
- Origin: South America, Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia
- Length: 2 to 4 feet
Aquarium Size: 180 to 240+ Gallons - Temperament: Predatory but Not Aggressive
- Ease of Care: Moderate
Where are Arowana Fish Found?
Arowanas live in freshwater tropical regions around the world. The Amazon basin, Southeast Asia, Nile River, and other locations are natural habitats for arowana fish. These areas tend to flood with the seasons. Which is important since arowanas hunt among low hanging trees for animals.
Types of Arowana Fish
The smallest arowana is the Australian Jardini Arowana (Scleropages jardinii), which grows to be “only” 24 inches long. They are still fast, active fish and need a tank at least 180 gallons in size.
Black arowanas (Osteoglossum ferreirai) and silver arowanas (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) are easy to find in pet stores as 3 inch babies. But the majority are sold to aquarists who aren’t ready for this kind of commitment. An adult black arowana will reach 3 to 4 feet long.
Black and silver arowanas are excellent jumpers. They are the species referred to as monkeyfish because they will leap out of the water to catch insects and even birds on tree branches.
Asian arowanas (Scleropages formosus) are the highest in demand. Captive bred specimens come in a wide range of colors, including red, gold, and green. While they are an endangered species, Asian arowana fish are bred in such large numbers that keeping them does not threaten wild populations.
Why is the Platinum Arowana So Expensive?
Platinum arowana fish are an ultra rare variety of Asian arowana. The bloodline is likely a recessive trait that does not get passed on easily from parent to young. Owning two full platinum arowanas is also expensive, making breeding even more rare. The platinum arowana price is $1200-$2500 depending on the size and bloodline of the fish.
Arowana vs Arapaima
The arapaima (Arapaima sp.) is a close relative from the Amazon River. Arrawana fish are not small but arapaimas make them look like minnows. An adult arapaima will reach 8 to 10 feet and weigh up to 440 lbs. Making them one of the largest freshwater fish in the world.
Full grown arapaimas are too big for any hobbyist’s fish tank. They are often seen in public aquariums, however.
Arapaimas are air breathers and take gulps of air similar to a betta fish. Their ability to breathe air helps them hunt in water conditions that would be fatal to gill breathers. Hot, stagnant swamps are their favorite habitat. Here, arapaimas swim close and lunge at small animals near the shore like a crocodile.
Arowana Lifespan
Ariwana fish live for 10 to 15 years. The longest lived arowanas reach 20 years in age. By age 3 to 4 years they are ready to breed.
How Big Do Arowanas Get?
With the exception of the small jardini, arowana fish size will be 3 to 4 feet long as an adult. Most aquarists buy them as 3 inch long fry or as 6 inch youngsters, thinking they have a long time to plan for that larger tank. But arowana fish grow very fast. Healthy youngsters will grow 1 to 2 inches per month. You will have a full grown arowana in 2 to 3 years.
Arowana Tank Size
Be certain you’re ready to commit to a large arowana fish tank before you buy one. Pet stores and public aquariums get requests from people looking to get rid of their arowana fish all of the time. You can’t count on them taking yours if you don’t want a larger tank. It’s also dangerous and illegal to release arowana fish into the wild.
So be ready to purchase a 180-240+ gallon aquarium for your full grown arowana. A tank this size will weigh around 3,000 lbs when filled with water and decorations. Your floor should be sturdy enough to hold such a setup.
Arowana Tank Setup
Arowana fish swim in the upper region of the fish tank. So decorations, plants, and substrate are not as important as swimming space. Arowannas can be kept in bare bottomed tanks to make maintenance easier.
If you want to replicate their natural habitat you’ll need tangles of driftwood and heat-loving plants like Amazon swords and Java Fern. Floating plants like red root floaters dim bright lights and make your arowana less likely to jump.
Water Conditions for Arowana Fish
Arowana fish are not picky when it comes to water conditions. The pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5. Water temperature is more important; warm conditions of 75-83°F are best. When kept cold, arawanas tend to catch aquarium fish ich and other diseases.
Arowanas are not as sensitive to nitrogenous waste as other fish. But they still create a lot of it. Large, predatory fish need a lot of protein, much of which becomes ammonia. Ammonia is toxic to all aquatic life so use a canister filter rated for a 240+ gallon tank.
Water current is also not important as arowanas come from sluggish rivers. Aquarium aeration is helpful but arowanas are partial air breathers. If dissolved oxygen levels become low they start gulping at the surface.
What Do Arowanas Eat?
Feeding dragon arowanas is the easiest part to caring for them. They prefer live prey but are not hard to train onto prepared pellet formulas. When young, feeder guppies, rosy reds, and goldfish are a solid foundation. Be sure any feeder fish source is parasite free to avoid passing on sickness.
As your arowanas grow up you should add earthworms, crushed snails, ghost shrimp, and other animal foods. Wild caught arowanas will be reluctant to eat pellets or flakes. So you may need to stick to live food its entire life.
Captive bred arowana fish will recognize them, however. Pellets are more convenient and carry no risk of introducing parasites to your fish. Feed your arowanas 2 to 3 times per day when young, and 1 to 2 times per day when full grown.
Arowana Fish Tank Mates
Arowanna tank mates need to be large enough not to be eaten but also not aggressive. Arowanas will ignore any fish they cannot eat. But their mouths are so large that they will sometimes try eating sizable tank mates.
Arowanas may become territorial towards each other but in a large enough tank (240+ gallons) they will live in harmony. Raising young arowanas together from the beginning also minimizes aggression and makes them more willing to spawn.
Large cichlids, catfish, barbs, pacus, and other deep bodied fish are the best arowana tank mates. Make sure any arowana tank mates keep up with the growth rate of your pets. A fish that is too big for now may become a snack in 4 to 6 months.
- Oscar Cichlid
- Peacock Bass
- Silver Dollar
- Iridescent Shark
- Tinfoil Barb
- Black Pacu
- Red Tailed Catfish
Breeding Arowana Fish
Arowana fish are not easy for aquarists to breed. They need more space than even a large fish tank. Breeders in Asia keep them in outdoor ponds where the weather is tropical year-round.
Arowanas prefer to choose their own spawning partners. So even if you have a single male and female they may reject one another. A group of 6 or more fish in a pond are more willing to spawn.
If you want to spawn them in a home aquarium, you’ll first need to sex them. Adult males are larger than females. They also have longer, more pointed anal fins. An incompatible pair may fight so it’s better to introduce them by dividing the aquarium in half.
Allow them to grow used to seeing and smelling each other for about a month. Then you can remove the divider and watch them for a few hours. Fin flaring and gentle biting are signs of courtship.
You’ll need to feed them even more often to encourage the development of eggs in the female. Arowanas lay 20 to 100 large eggs that are ½ inch in diameter. In the Asian and South American species the male will care for them after being laid. With Australian arowanas the female provides care.
Aravana fish are mouth brooders. They collect the eggs right after being laid and hold them in their mouths for 4 to 8 weeks. Many cichlids, gouramis, and catfish also mouth brood. Doing so allows the eggs to remain well oxygenated and keeps them safe from predators.
The mouthbrooding parents won’t be able to eat, however. Another reason why heavy feeding to develop fat deposits is important before spawning.
Once the fry hatch they will stay with their father or mother for 2 more months. They have a large yolk sack that they use for nourishment. As the yolk sack gets smaller, start feeding them guppy sized fish, brine shrimp, and other live food.
Conclusion
Arowanas are sought after due to their size, active disposition, and brilliant colors. You should buy one only if you’re ready for a 3 foot fish. Arowanas grow fast and need an expensive tank. But there are few fish that are as unique looking and hardy.
FAQs
Arowanas live in tropical freshwater regions around the world. South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa are their home continents.
Asian arowanas are illegal to keep in the USA. It is an endangered species so a CITES permit is required for anyone looking to own one. These are given out to scientific researchers, public aquariums, and zoos, not hobbyists. CITES certified fish farms may be able to provide you with a captive bred specimen, however. The other types of arowana are legal to keep in the USA, though silver arowanas are banned in Oklahoma.
Arowana are tolerant of a wide range of water conditions, eat well, and aren’t too aggressive. The main issue is that they grow so large. Keeping a huge aquarium is difficult to do and expensive. But if you can handle the extra time spent on water changes and other maintenance, arowanas are not hard to keep.
