Asian arowana
Scleropages formosus
Also known as Dragonfish, Golden arowana, Red arowana, Green arowana, Super red arowana
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–86°F
- 24–30°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 35.4 in
- 90 cm
- Minimum tank
- 264 gal
- 1,000 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Top
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Hard
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Osteoglossidae
- Origin
- Native to slow blackwater rivers, swamps and flooded forest across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Overview
The Asian arowana is a heavy-bodied bony-tongue for the top of a very large tank. It is one of the most expensive and tightly regulated aquarium fish in the world, and it is for experienced keepers only.
Did you know
In parts of Asia, the Asian arowana is treated as a living symbol of luck and prosperity. Top show specimens have sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
Caring for the Asian arowana
Check your local laws before buying an Asian arowana, since it is a protected, permit-heavy fish. Only source chipped, certified captive-bred stock. An adult needs at least 264 gal (1,000 L) with a secure lid.
Keep the water at 75 to 86°F (24 to 30°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed insects, prawns and pellets, and avoid a diet of only feeder fish.
Asian arowanas are territorial and predatory, so keep one per tank, alone or with large tank mates. They are paternal mouthbrooders that produce a small number of very large young. Breeding them is hard.
Good to know
Scleropages formosus belongs to the family Osteoglossidae and has been listed on CITES Appendix I since 1975. Legal specimens are captive-bred, individually microchipped and documented. It is famous for its large metallic scales, which come in red, gold and green strains. Some authors treat several of these color forms as separate species.
In the wild
The Asian arowana lives in slow blackwater rivers, swamps and flooded forest across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. It patrols the surface, taking insects, fish and small vertebrates.
Common questions
What size tank does an Asian arowana need?
An Asian arowana needs at least 264 gal (1,000 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH does an Asian arowana need?
An Asian arowana is comfortable at 75–86°F (24–30°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
What does an Asian arowana eat?
An Asian arowana eats insects, prawns and pellets. Avoid a diet of only feeder fish.
How big does an Asian arowana get?
An adult Asian arowana reaches about 35.4 in (90 cm).
How does an Asian arowana breed?
Asian arowanas are paternal mouthbrooders, producing a small number of very large young. Breeding them is hard.
Related species
35.4 in (90 cm)317 gal (1,200 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)Gulf saratoga
Scleropages jardinii
35.4 in (90 cm) · 317 gal (1,200 L)
35.4 in (90 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)Spotted saratoga
Scleropages leichardti
35.4 in (90 cm) · 396 gal (1,500 L)
35.4 in (90 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Black arowana
Osteoglossum ferreirai
35.4 in (90 cm) · 396 gal (1,500 L)
39.4 in (100 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Silver arowana
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
39.4 in (100 cm) · 396 gal (1,500 L)
34.6 in (88 cm)528 gal (2,000 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Red-tail pike characin
Boulengerella cuvieri
34.6 in (88 cm) · 528 gal (2,000 L)
35.4 in (90 cm)264 gal (1,000 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Adonis pleco (L155)
Acanthicus adonis
35.4 in (90 cm) · 264 gal (1,000 L)