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Asian Arowana

Scleropages formosus

Freshwater South-east Asia Usually captive bred

An ancient, magnificent surface predator with massive glistening scales and prominent chin barbels. Prized globally as a symbol of fortune, it commands an enormous custom aquarium with heavyweight filtration. It is a formidable jumper requiring a heavily weighted lid and strict legal microchipping documentation due to CITES protections.

Also called: Asian bonytongue, Arwana, Arowana, Asian arowana.

70 cm adult length, drawn to scale. eel body.

Outgrows a typical home tank. Check this fish against the adult size above before buying a juvenile. The minimum shown is the least it is kept in for good, not a comfortable size.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 70 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 900 L, at least 200 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 300 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 5 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 24 to 30 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6 to 7.5 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 2 to 12, KH 1 to 6 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Medium Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Predator Territorial: strong.
Swims in Upper water Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 20 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Experienced keepers only A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Asian Arowana is an carnivore that swims in the upper water. It is safe with plants. It will eat fish small enough to swallow.

Tankmates

Works with

No close matches in the data. Check the pair tool.

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.