Arowana Fish How To Take Care – Master Their Majestic Journey

Written ByHoward Parker

So, you’re dreaming of adding a magnificent Arowana to your aquatic family? You’re in for a treat! These incredible “dragon fish” are truly captivating, with their prehistoric elegance and powerful presence. But let’s be honest, the thought of caring for such a large, impressive creature can feel a little daunting, right?

Many aspiring aquarists worry about the commitment and complexity involved. Perhaps you’ve heard tales of their specific needs or seen their hefty price tags and wondered, “Can I really do this?” You’re not alone in these thoughts, but I’m here to tell you: you absolutely can! With the right knowledge and a bit of dedication, mastering arowana fish how to take care is completely within reach.

At Aquifarm, we believe every aquarist deserves the joy of a thriving tank. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide. We’ll walk you through every essential step, from choosing the right tank to understanding their diet, maintaining water quality, and even troubleshooting common issues. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the expert insights and practical advice you need to confidently embark on your Arowana journey, ensuring your magnificent fish not only survives but truly flourishes. Let’s dive in and unlock the secrets to successful Arowana keeping!

Understanding Your Arowana: A Glimpse into Their World

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of setup, it’s helpful to understand the creature you’re about to welcome into your home. Arowanas are ancient fish, often referred to as “dragon fish” due to their large, metallic scales and barbels. Knowing their natural behaviors and needs is the first step in successful arowana fish how to take care.

They are apex predators in their natural habitats, known for their powerful jumps and impressive hunting skills. This predatory nature influences everything from their tank size requirements to their diet. Don’t worry, though; in a home aquarium, they’re typically quite peaceful towards other fish too large to be considered food.

Types of Arowana: Which Dragon Will You Choose?

There are several species of Arowana, each with unique characteristics. While the care requirements are broadly similar, their ultimate size and specific temperament can vary. Here are a few popular types:

  • Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum): The most common and often the largest, reaching up to 3 feet in length. They are known for their shimmering silver scales and graceful swimming. These are often the first choice for beginners due to their availability and relatively lower cost.

  • Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus): Highly prized and often very expensive, these come in stunning color variations like Red, Gold, and Green. They are protected under CITES, so ensure you purchase from a reputable, legal breeder with proper documentation. They typically reach 2-2.5 feet.

  • Jardini Arowana (Scleropages jardinii): Also known as the Australian Arowana, these are more robust and can be quite aggressive. They feature small red or pink spots on their scales and grow to about 2 feet.

  • African Arowana (Heterotis niloticus): Distinct from other arowanas, they have a smaller mouth and feed more on plankton. They can also grow quite large, up to 3 feet.

Arowana Temperament and Lifespan

Arowanas are generally solitary fish, especially as they mature. While they can be housed with certain tank mates (more on that later), they often prefer their own space. They are highly intelligent and can even recognize their owners, sometimes taking food directly from your hand!

With proper arowana fish how to take care tips, these fish can live for an impressively long time. Expect a lifespan of 10-15 years, with some living even longer. This is a significant commitment, so be prepared for a long-term relationship with your aquatic dragon.

Setting Up the Perfect Home: Arowana Fish How to Take Care of Their Environment

The tank is the single most critical element for your Arowana’s well-being. Getting this right from the start is paramount for their health and happiness. Investing in a proper setup is one of the best arowana fish how to take care best practices you can adopt.

Tank Size & Placement: Go Big or Go Home!

This is where many beginners underestimate the needs of an Arowana. These fish grow *very* large and need ample swimming space. A small tank will stunt their growth, cause stress, and lead to health issues.

  • Minimum Tank Size: For a single adult Silver Arowana, a tank of at least 250-300 gallons (approx. 8-10 feet long, 2-3 feet wide, 2-3 feet tall) is recommended. Asian Arowanas might manage in slightly smaller, but still large, tanks (180-200 gallons, 6-8 feet long) due to their slightly smaller adult size.

  • Why So Big? Arowanas are active swimmers and need space to turn around without constantly bumping into the glass. A wider tank is often more important than a deeper one for their swimming patterns.

  • Lid is Essential: Arowanas are expert jumpers! A heavy, secure lid is non-negotiable. Many experienced keepers even recommend weighing down the lid to prevent escapes.

  • Placement: Choose a sturdy, level surface that can support immense weight (water + tank + substrate). Avoid direct sunlight to prevent algae blooms and temperature fluctuations. A quiet area with minimal foot traffic is also ideal to reduce stress.

Filtration Systems: Keeping it Crystal Clear

Given their size and the amount they eat, Arowanas produce a significant bioload. Robust filtration is absolutely essential to maintain pristine water quality. Think powerful, multi-stage filtration.

  • Canister Filters: Often the backbone of Arowana filtration, providing excellent mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. Consider running two large canister filters for redundancy and extra capacity.

  • Sump Filters: For very large tanks, a sump system is often the best choice. It increases water volume, provides massive space for media, and allows for equipment like heaters and protein skimmers to be hidden.

  • Flow: Arowanas appreciate moderate water flow, mimicking their natural riverine habitats. Ensure your filters create enough circulation without being overly turbulent.

Substrate & Decor: Simple is Best

Arowanas are open-water fish and don’t spend much time foraging in the substrate. Keeping it simple makes cleaning easier.

  • Substrate: A thin layer of fine sand or smooth, large pebbles is fine. Many keepers opt for a bare bottom tank to simplify cleaning and reduce the risk of injury. If you use substrate, ensure it’s easy to siphon.

  • Decorations: Keep decor minimal to maximize swimming space. Smooth rocks, large pieces of driftwood (boiled and soaked to prevent tannin release), or robust artificial plants can be used. Ensure all decor is heavy enough not to be knocked over and has no sharp edges that could injure your Arowana.

  • Background: A dark background can help your Arowana feel more secure and enhance their colors. Black or dark blue are popular choices.

Water Parameters: The Sweet Spot for Health

Consistency is key when it comes to water parameters. Regular monitoring is a crucial aspect of how to arowana fish how to take care.

  • Temperature: Keep the water stable between 75-82°F (24-28°C). Use reliable heaters, preferably two smaller ones for even heating and as a backup.

  • pH: Arowanas prefer slightly acidic to neutral water, typically pH 6.0-7.5. Avoid drastic fluctuations.

  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (GH 3-10 dGH) is generally preferred. Regular water changes with dechlorinated tap water usually maintain acceptable levels.

  • Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate: These should always be 0 ppm for ammonia and nitrite. Nitrates should be kept below 20 ppm through regular water changes. Invest in a good liquid test kit and use it weekly.

Nourishing Your Dragon: Arowana Fish How to Take Care of Their Diet

Arowanas are carnivorous predators with a hearty appetite. A varied and nutritious diet is vital for their growth, color, and overall health. Providing the right food is a key part of arowana fish how to take care.

Staple Diet: Quality Pellets and Sticks

While live food is often tempting, a high-quality, protein-rich pellet or stick specifically formulated for Arowanas should form the bulk of their diet. Look for brands with natural ingredients and a high protein content (40% or more).

  • Benefits: Pellets are convenient, nutritionally complete, and reduce the risk of introducing parasites often found in live foods.

  • Feeding: Offer pellets 1-2 times a day, only as much as your Arowana can consume in a few minutes. Overfeeding leads to water quality issues.

Live & Frozen Foods: Variety is Key

To supplement their diet and provide mental stimulation, offer a variety of live and frozen foods. This helps mimic their natural hunting behaviors and provides essential nutrients.

  • Frozen Foods: Krill, large bloodworms, silversides, shrimp, and market prawns (peeled) are excellent choices. Thaw thoroughly before feeding.

  • Live Foods (with caution): Crickets, mealworms, superworms, and feeder shrimp are good options. Avoid feeder fish from pet stores, as they often carry diseases and lack nutritional value. If you must use feeder fish, breed your own or quarantine them thoroughly.

  • Frequency: Offer live or frozen foods 2-3 times a week as a treat, not as the primary diet.

Feeding Frequency & Amount

Young Arowanas (under 12 inches) should be fed 2-3 times a day. Adult Arowanas can be fed once a day or every other day. Always observe your fish: if they look bloated, reduce feeding. If they’re constantly begging, they might need a bit more.

Maintaining Pristine Waters: Sustainable Arowana Fish How to Take Care Practices

Clean water is non-negotiable for Arowanas. Their large size means they produce a lot of waste, and poor water quality is the leading cause of stress and disease. Implementing sustainable arowana fish how to take care means regular, consistent maintenance.

Water Changes: The Lifeline of Your Tank

This is arguably the most important maintenance task. Regular water changes dilute nitrates, replenish essential minerals, and remove organic pollutants.

  • Frequency: Aim for a 25-30% water change weekly. For heavily stocked tanks or those with less robust filtration, you might need to do 50% bi-weekly or even more frequently.

  • Process: Always use a good quality dechlorinator to treat tap water before adding it to the tank. Match the temperature of the new water to the tank water to avoid shocking your fish.

Tank Cleaning & Maintenance Schedule

Beyond water changes, a consistent cleaning schedule keeps everything running smoothly.

  • Daily: Remove any uneaten food. Check temperature and filtration flow.

  • Weekly: Perform water change. Test water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH). Wipe down tank glass (inside and out) to remove algae.

  • Monthly/Bi-monthly: Clean filter media (rinse sponges/pads in old tank water to preserve beneficial bacteria). Vacuum substrate thoroughly if you have one. Inspect all equipment (heaters, pumps) for wear and tear.

Monitoring Water Quality: Your Tank’s Health Report

A reliable liquid test kit is an essential tool. Strips are often inaccurate and not recommended for serious aquarists. Consistent monitoring allows you to catch problems before they become critical.

  • Parameters to Monitor: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, and Temperature.

  • Record Keeping: Keep a log of your water parameters and maintenance schedule. This helps you spot trends and identify potential issues early.

Health & Wellness: Common Problems with Arowana Fish How to Take Care

Even with the best care, sometimes issues can arise. Knowing what to look for and how to react is vital. Being proactive in understanding common problems with arowana fish how to take care will save you headaches and heartbreak.

Fin Rot & Fungal Infections

These are often caused by poor water quality, stress, or injury. Fins may appear frayed, ragged, or develop white, cotton-like growths.

  • Solution: Improve water quality immediately with a large water change. Increase aeration. Treat with appropriate aquarium medications (antibacterial for fin rot, antifungal for fungus). Ensure proper nutrition.

Dropeye: A Common Arowana Ailment

Dropeye is a condition where one or both eyes point downwards. While not life-threatening, it can affect vision and is often seen as a cosmetic flaw in highly prized Arowanas.

  • Causes: Often attributed to looking down for food (especially bottom-dwelling feeders), lack of overhead stimulation, or genetics. Some theories suggest high fat diets play a role.

  • Prevention: Ensure your Arowana has varied food, including floating pellets. Provide overhead stimulation (e.g., a floating toy or a ball for them to track). Avoid overfeeding fatty foods. Some keepers use a dark bottom tank or even place a mirror on the bottom to encourage upward gaze, though effectiveness varies.

Protruding Scales & Bloat

These can be signs of internal bacterial infections (dropsy) or parasitic issues. Scales may stick out like a pinecone, and the fish’s abdomen may swell.

  • Solution: Isolate the fish if possible. Dropsy is often difficult to treat, but strong antibiotics (e.g., Kanamycin) in a hospital tank can sometimes help. Prevention through excellent water quality and diet is key.

Stress & Behavioral Issues

An Arowana that is constantly hiding, refusing food, or exhibiting erratic swimming may be stressed. Causes can include inappropriate tank mates, poor water quality, too much light, or sudden changes in their environment.

  • Solution: Identify and eliminate the stressor. Ensure tank parameters are stable, lighting is appropriate, and tank mates are compatible. Provide hiding spots if needed, though Arowanas generally prefer open space.

Advanced Tips for Thriving Arowanas: Beyond the Basics

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of arowana fish how to take care guide, you might be looking for ways to truly make your Arowana shine. These advanced tips can elevate your care routine.

Tank Mates: Choose Wisely, or Not at All

Arowanas are best kept alone. However, if you’re determined to have tank mates, choose very carefully. They must be too large to be eaten, non-aggressive, and tolerant of similar water parameters.

  • Good Candidates: Large plecos (e.g., sailfin, royal), large datnoids, large schooling fish like Silver Dollars, or even some larger cichlids (with caution). Introduce tank mates when the Arowana is still relatively young to allow them to grow up together.

  • Avoid: Any fish small enough to fit in their mouth, aggressive fish that might nip fins, or overly timid fish that will be stressed.

Lighting Considerations

While Arowanas don’t have specific lighting requirements for their health, good lighting can enhance their colors and allow you to appreciate their beauty.

  • Type: Full-spectrum LED lighting is excellent. For Asian Arowanas, specific “color enhancing” lights are popular, often with red spectrums to bring out red pigmentation.

  • Duration: 8-10 hours a day is sufficient. Too much light can encourage algae growth and stress the fish.

Enrichment: Keeping Your Dragon Engaged

Arowanas are intelligent and can get bored. Enrichment can help reduce stress and encourage natural behaviors.

  • Feeding Challenges: Occasionally offer food in a way that requires them to “hunt” a bit, like dropping live crickets on the surface. (Ensure they don’t jump out!)

  • Water Flow: Varying the water flow with powerheads (ensure they are safely positioned and not too strong) can provide exercise and stimulation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arowana Fish Care

How big do Arowanas get?

Silver Arowanas can reach lengths of up to 3 feet (90 cm) in captivity, while Asian Arowanas typically grow to 2-2.5 feet (60-75 cm). Their ultimate size depends on species, diet, and tank conditions.

Can I keep an Arowana in a 75-gallon tank?

Absolutely not. A 75-gallon tank is far too small for any Arowana species, even as a juvenile. It will severely stunt their growth, cause immense stress, and lead to health problems. A minimum of 180-200 gallons is needed for Asian Arowanas, and 250-300 gallons or more for Silver Arowanas, even when young, to allow for proper growth.

What are the signs of a healthy Arowana?

A healthy Arowana will have clear, bright eyes (not cloudy or droopy), intact fins without any tears or rot, vibrant scales, and a strong, graceful swimming motion. They should be alert, responsive to their environment, and have a good appetite. Their gills should be smooth and not inflamed.

How often should I feed my Arowana?

Young Arowanas (under 12 inches) should be fed 2-3 times a day. Adult Arowanas can be fed once a day or every other day. Always feed only what they can consume in a few minutes to avoid overfeeding and water quality issues.

Are Arowanas aggressive?

Arowanas are predatory and will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouth. Towards larger fish, they can be territorial but are generally not overtly aggressive if given enough space. They are best kept alone, or with very carefully selected, large tank mates.

Conclusion: Your Journey to a Majestic Arowana Aquarium

Caring for an Arowana is a rewarding experience that offers a glimpse into the ancient beauty of the aquatic world. While they demand a significant commitment in terms of tank size and maintenance, the joy of watching these magnificent “dragon fish” thrive is truly unparalleled. By following these comprehensive arowana fish how to take care guidelines, you’re not just keeping a pet; you’re becoming a steward of a living legend.

Remember, consistency is your best friend. Regular water changes, a high-quality varied diet, and vigilant monitoring of your tank’s parameters will set you up for success. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, observe your fish closely, and learn as you go. Every experienced aquarist started somewhere, and with patience and dedication, you’ll soon be an expert in your own right.

Your journey with an Arowana will be filled with moments of awe and wonder. Embrace the challenge, enjoy the process, and soon you’ll have a truly spectacular display that brings immense satisfaction. Go forth, create that perfect aquatic kingdom, and watch your Arowana flourish!

Howard Parker
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