Gulf saratoga
Scleropages jardinii
Also known as Northern saratoga, Australian bonytongue, Pearl arowana, Jardini arowana, Jardinii 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
- 317 gal
- 1,200 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
- Rare
- Family
- Osteoglossidae
- Origin
- Native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea, found in rivers, billabongs and still lagoons.
Overview
The Gulf saratoga is an Australian bony-tongue and a surface fish for a very large tank. It is for experienced keepers only.
Did you know
Saratogas are sometimes called living fossils, because their bony-tongue lineage has changed little for tens of millions of years.
Caring for the Gulf saratoga
Give an adult Gulf saratoga at least 317 gal (1,200 L) with a wide surface. Fit a heavy, tight lid, since saratogas jump hard.
Keep the water at 75 to 86°F (24 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, with strong filtration. Feed prawns, insects, earthworms and pellets.
Gulf saratogas are aggressive and will eat smaller fish. Adults are territorial and often aggressive toward their own kind, so keep one per tank. It is best kept alone or with large, robust tank mates.
The Gulf saratoga is a mouthbrooder, with the male carrying the eggs and fry. Breeding it is hard.
Good to know
Scleropages jardinii belongs to the bony-tongue family Osteoglossidae and is also called the northern saratoga or pearl arowana. It is one of two Australian Scleropages, separated from the southern saratoga by range and spot pattern. Its large, pearly scales each carry a pink or red crescent that catches the light. The species is an air-gulper adapted to warm, oxygen-poor billabongs.
In the wild
The Gulf saratoga lives in rivers, billabongs and still lagoons across northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is a surface-oriented ambush predator of still and slow waters.
Common questions
What size tank does a Gulf saratoga need?
A Gulf saratoga needs at least 317 gal (1,200 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH does a Gulf saratoga need?
A Gulf saratoga is comfortable at 75–86°F (24–30°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
What does a Gulf saratoga eat?
A Gulf saratoga eats prawns, insects, earthworms and pellets. It will also eat smaller fish.
How big does a Gulf saratoga get?
An adult Gulf saratoga reaches about 35.4 in (90 cm).
How does a Gulf saratoga breed?
The Gulf saratoga is a mouthbrooder, and the male carries the eggs and fry. Breeding it is hard.
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