Asian arowana

Asian arowana key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

Few reliable data

Size

Up to 90 cm TL (FishBase)

Temperature

24〜30℃

Diet

Carnivore (insects, prawns, fish pieces, prepared foods)

Water Temperature & Quality

24-30°C (FishBase), pH 5.0-8.0, 2-15 dGH (Seriously Fish). Keep oxygen high; weekly changes of 30-50% are recommended. Never add it to an immature tank.

Aquarium

It reaches 90 cm, so adults need enough length and depth to turn without bending; a standard tank about 45 cm deep cannot house an adult for life. A strong jumper, it needs a heavy, gap-free lid.

Tank Mates & Compatibility

Eats fish that fit in its mouth and often fights its own kind. Keep it alone; any companions require a very large tank.

Diet & Feeding

Give juveniles bloodworm, earthworms and chopped prawn, and adults prawns, fish strips and mussels; do not rely on pellets alone. Avoid mammal or poultry meat.

Breeding & Egg-laying

A paternal mouthbrooder bred commercially in outdoor ponds; breeding in a home aquarium is not realistic.

Cautions

Under Japan's species conservation law, domestic sale, transfer or display for sale requires a registration certificate for each fish, and new owners must notify within 30 days. Never release it.

About Asian arowana

Learn about the Asian arowana: its traits, temperament, tank setup, and what to prepare before bringing one home. A large blackwater arowana reaching up to 90 cm, rated for experienced keepers, with answers to common questions.

7 things to know before welcoming a Asian arowana

1. 1A tank for a 90 cm fish

   Adults can reach up to 90 cm in total length, so choosing a tank around the adult size is where you start. Plan for generous length, width, and water volume so the long body can move without strain.

2. 2A secure lid

   Asian arowanas tend to leap from the surface when startled, so a well-fitted lid with no gaps is essential. Pay attention to the openings around pipes, cords, and filter inlets and outlets as well.

3. 3Rated for experienced keepers

   The Asian arowana is rated for experienced keepers. It is easier to bring one home with confidence once you are comfortable managing water quality and equipment for large fish. If you are unsure, talk to someone who has kept large fish.

4. 4Mind its blackwater origins

   In the wild it lives in the blackwater rivers and swamps of Southeast Asia. In the aquarium, keeping the water clean and avoiding sudden changes in water quality is the basis for helping it settle in.

5. 5Choose tankmates carefully

   As a large carnivorous fish, it may treat small fish as food. It can also chase other fish in the same tank, so consider tankmates carefully, looking at their size and temperament.

6. 6Feeding and daily observation

   It is a carnivore and looks for food near the surface. Uneaten food fouls the water, so offer only what it finishes, and check its appetite, swimming, eyes, and scales regularly. If you notice a change, consult someone experienced with fish early.

7. 7Only tagged, registered fish

   The Asian arowana is listed on CITES Appendix I, and in Japan it is an internationally rare wild species under the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species. Only registered individuals can be sold or transferred, and the registration certificate passes on together with the fish. When you bring one home, check that the certificate comes with it.

Frequently asked questions about Asian arowana

Q.Can a beginner keep an Asian arowana?

A.It is rated for experienced keepers. This large fish can reach up to 90 cm in total length and needs a spacious tank, jump prevention, and careful water quality management. If you are new to large fish, look into experienced keepers' setups or ask the seller before deciding.

Q.How large does an adult get?

A.Total length reaches up to 90 cm (FishBase). Not every individual will necessarily grow that large, but it is best to prepare the tank and equipment with the adult size in mind.

Q.How long does an Asian arowana live?

A.There is little reliable information on lifespan, so we cannot give a typical figure. It likely varies with each fish's condition and how it is kept. Before bringing one home, it helps to ask experienced keepers or the seller.

Q.Can it live with other fish?

A.You need to choose tankmates carefully. As a large carnivorous fish, it may treat small fish as food, and it can also chase other fish in the tank. If you do keep it with others, check their size and temperament first and decide while watching how they behave.

Q.Does a registration certificate come with the fish?

A.The Asian arowana is listed on CITES Appendix I, and in Japan it is an internationally rare wild species under the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species. Only registered individuals can be sold or transferred, and the registration certificate passes on together with the fish.

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