Black arowana
Osteoglossum ferreirai
Also known as Blue arowana, Ferreira's arowana
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 79–86°F
- 26–30°C
- pH
- 5.5–6.5
- Adult size
- 35.4 in
- 90 cm
- Minimum tank
- 396 gal
- 1,500 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Top
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Osteoglossidae
- Origin
- Native to the Rio Negro and Orinoco blackwater systems of South America, living in soft, acidic, tannin-stained flooded forest.
Overview
Plan for an adult around 90 cm and a tank of at least 1500 litres with a secure lid, as they jump like all arowanas. They do best in soft, warm, acidic water around 26 to 30 C and pH 5.5 to 6.5, kept very clean. Feed insects, prawns and quality pellets, and only house with large peaceful tankmates that cannot be swallowed. Juveniles are sensitive to poor water and sudden changes in chemistry.
In the wild
The black arowana is a blackwater cousin of the silver, with juveniles showing a striking blue and yellow stripe that fades to dark charcoal as they mature. It hunts at the surface in soft, tea-coloured water shaded by forest. Adults are slightly smaller and often considered more delicate than silver arowanas.
Good to know
Osteoglossum ferreirai is a mouthbrooding bony-tongue described in 1966 and restricted to the Rio Negro and Orinoco drainages. The very large fry rely on a huge yolk sac before they begin free feeding. Wild-caught juveniles remain the main source in the trade.
Did you know
Newly hatched black arowanas carry a yolk sac larger than their own head, which the father shelters inside his mouth until it is absorbed.
Common questions
What size tank does a Black arowana need?
A Black arowana needs at least 396 gal (1,500 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH does a Black arowana need?
A Black arowana is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 5.5–6.5.
How big does a Black arowana get?
An adult Black arowana reaches about 35.4 in (90 cm).
Related species
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)
35.4 in (90 cm)264 gal (1,000 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)Asian arowana
Scleropages formosus
35.4 in (90 cm) · 264 gal (1,000 L)
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)185 gal (700 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Nile bottlenose mormyrid
Mormyrus kannume
35.4 in (90 cm) · 185 gal (700 L)
38.2 in (97 cm)264 gal (1,000 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Congo bichir
Polypterus congicus
38.2 in (97 cm) · 264 gal (1,000 L)