Arowana Fish Tips – Your Ultimate Guide To Thriving Dragon Fish

Written ByHoward Parker

Hey there, fellow aquarist! Have you ever found yourself mesmerized by the graceful, almost mythical presence of an Arowana? You’re not alone. These incredible “dragon fish” are truly living jewels, a captivating centerpiece for any serious aquarium.

Perhaps you’ve admired them from afar, wondering if you could ever provide a suitable home for such a magnificent creature. Or maybe you’ve already taken the plunge and are now looking for the ultimate arowana fish tips to ensure your scaly friend thrives.

Well, you’ve come to the right place! At Aquifarm, we understand the unique joy and challenges that come with keeping these majestic fish. We promise to share our deepest insights, turning what might seem daunting into a truly rewarding experience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything from setting up the perfect tank to understanding their health needs, ensuring your Arowana doesn’t just survive, but truly flourishes.

Get ready to unlock the secrets to successful Arowana keeping. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Your Arowana: The Majestic Dragon Fish

Arowanas are freshwater fish native to South America, Southeast Asia, and Australia. They are known for their elongated bodies, large scales, and distinct, upturned mouths. Their shimmering appearance and powerful swimming make them truly captivating.

Keeping an Arowana is a commitment, but the rewards are immense. These fish can live for 10-20 years or more with proper care, becoming a long-term companion and a stunning display in your home.

Species Spotlight: Which Arowana is Right for You?

Before diving into specific arowana fish tips, it’s crucial to understand that “Arowana” isn’t just one type of fish. There are several species, each with unique characteristics and care requirements. Knowing which one you have, or plan to get, is your first step to success.

  • Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum): This is perhaps the most common and often the entry point for many hobbyists. Native to the Amazon, they are known for their metallic silver scales and can grow incredibly large, often exceeding 3 feet in length. They are generally more tolerant of varying water conditions than their Asian cousins.
  • Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus): Highly prized and often very expensive, Asian Arowanas come in stunning varieties like Red, Gold, Green, and Blue. They are considered endangered and are protected under CITES, requiring special permits for ownership in many regions. They are known for their vibrant colors and can be more sensitive to water quality.
  • Jardini Arowana (Scleropages jardinii) / Australian Arowana (Scleropages leichardti): These Australian natives have a more robust build and a slightly different scale pattern. They are known for their strong personalities and can be quite aggressive, making tank mate selection tricky.

Each species has its charm, but the Silver Arowana is often the most accessible for beginners due to its availability and slightly less stringent care requirements, though its ultimate size demands a massive tank.

Setting Up the Perfect Home: Essential Arowana Fish Tips for Tank Setup

Providing an adequate environment is paramount for your Arowana’s health and happiness. These fish grow large and need space, pristine water, and a stable habitat. Let’s look at some key arowana fish tips for creating their ideal home.

Tank Size: Go Big or Go Home!

This is arguably the most critical factor. Arowanas are active, powerful swimmers and grow to impressive sizes. A common mistake is starting with a tank that’s too small, leading to stunted growth, stress, and health issues.

  • For a single adult Silver Arowana, a tank of at least 250 gallons (946 liters) is recommended, with 300-500 gallons being even better. The tank should be long and wide, not just tall. Think 8 feet long by 3 feet wide as a good starting point for an adult.
  • Asian Arowanas, while not reaching the extreme lengths of Silvers, still require substantial space – 150-200 gallons minimum for a single adult.
  • Jardini/Australian Arowanas also need large tanks, typically 180+ gallons for an adult.

Always err on the side of larger. A bigger tank offers more stable water parameters and reduces stress.

Filtration: Keeping Water Pristine

Arowanas are messy eaters and produce a significant bio-load. A robust filtration system is non-negotiable for maintaining the high water quality they demand. You’ll need a combination of mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration.

  • Canister Filters: These are excellent for mechanical and chemical filtration, removing particulate matter and toxins. Use multiple large canisters.
  • Sump Filters: For very large tanks, a sump provides superior biological filtration and allows for easy integration of heaters and protein skimmers (though less common in freshwater, some advanced setups use them for specific purposes).
  • Sponge Filters: While not sufficient as primary filtration, they can provide supplemental biological filtration and are good for aeration.

Aim for a total filtration turnover rate of at least 5-10 times the tank volume per hour. Regular filter maintenance is crucial.

Heating and Water Parameters: The Sweet Spot

Consistency is key. Arowanas prefer stable water conditions. Here are some essential arowana fish tips care guide parameters:

  • Temperature: Keep the water temperature stable between 75-82°F (24-28°C). Use reliable heaters, preferably two smaller ones rather than one large one, for redundancy in case one fails.
  • pH: Most Arowanas prefer slightly acidic to neutral water, typically pH 6.0-7.0. Silver Arowanas are a bit more tolerant, while Asian Arowanas prefer closer to 6.5. Avoid drastic pH swings.
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (GH 3-10 dGH) is generally preferred.
  • Water Changes: This is perhaps the most important routine. Perform large, regular water changes – 25-50% weekly. This dilutes nitrates, replenishes essential minerals, and maintains overall water quality. Always use a dechlorinator.

Invest in a high-quality liquid test kit (API Freshwater Master Test Kit is a popular choice) and test your water parameters weekly. This helps you catch issues before they become problems.

Substrate and Decor: Safety First

When it comes to decorating an Arowana tank, simplicity and safety are paramount. Arowanas are powerful and can easily injure themselves on sharp objects or dislodge unstable decor.

  • Substrate: A bare bottom tank is often preferred for easier cleaning and to prevent food from getting trapped. If you opt for substrate, choose fine, smooth sand or very smooth, large river rocks that cannot be ingested.
  • Decor: Use smooth, rounded rocks or driftwood. Ensure any decor is heavy and stable so your Arowana cannot knock it over. Avoid anything with sharp edges. Live plants can be challenging as Arowanas may uproot them, but sturdy plants like Anubias or Java Fern tied to driftwood can work.
  • Lid: Arowanas are expert jumpers! A heavy, secure, tightly fitting lid is absolutely essential to prevent your fish from leaping out of the tank. Gaps for equipment should be minimal.

Remember, your Arowana needs swimming space more than intricate landscaping.

Feeding Your Dragon: Arowana Fish Tips for a Balanced Diet

A proper diet is fundamental to your Arowana’s vibrant colors, strong immune system, and overall longevity. These fish are primarily carnivores, and their diet should reflect this. Here are some arowana fish tips for feeding your majestic pet.

What to Feed: A Mix of Goodness

Variety is key to ensuring your Arowana gets all the necessary nutrients. Don’t rely on just one type of food.

  • Live Foods: While exciting for your Arowana, live foods carry a risk of introducing parasites or diseases. If you feed live, ensure they are gut-loaded and sourced from a reputable, disease-free supplier. Good options include feeder fish (like guppies or mollies, never goldfish due to thiaminase content), crickets, grasshoppers, and earthworms.
  • Frozen Foods: This is often a safer and more convenient option. Offer a variety of frozen krill, market shrimp, mussels, silversides, and even chunks of white fish (like tilapia). Thaw thoroughly before feeding.
  • High-Quality Pellets/Sticks: Specially formulated Arowana pellets or large carnivore sticks can be a staple, providing a balanced nutritional base. Look for brands with high protein content and essential vitamins. Introduce these early in your Arowana’s life, as some adults can be picky.

For Asian Arowanas, some keepers supplement with color-enhancing foods rich in carotenoids to maintain their vibrant hues. This is one of the key benefits of arowana fish tips for those looking to maximize their fish’s aesthetic appeal.

Feeding Frequency and Portion Control

How often you feed depends on your Arowana’s age and size.

  • Juveniles (up to 12 inches): Feed 2-3 times a day, small portions that can be consumed within a few minutes. Young Arowanas grow rapidly and need consistent nutrition.
  • Adults (over 12 inches): Feed once a day or every other day. They require less frequent feeding as their growth slows.

Always remove any uneaten food promptly to prevent water quality issues. Overfeeding can lead to digestive problems and pollute the tank.

Maintaining Health & Preventing Common Problems with Arowana Fish Tips

Even with the best care, Arowanas can sometimes encounter health issues. Knowing what to look for and how to act quickly can make all the difference. Proactive monitoring is one of the best arowana fish tips best practices.

Water Quality Monitoring: Your First Line of Defense

We can’t stress this enough: pristine water is the foundation of Arowana health. Regular testing and maintenance prevent most common ailments.

  • Test your water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) weekly.
  • Perform those regular, large water changes.
  • Ensure your filtration system is running efficiently and clean filter media regularly (but never all at once, to preserve beneficial bacteria).

Any signs of stress or illness often point back to water quality as a primary culprit.

Common Ailments and How to Spot Them

Here are some common problems with arowana fish tips to help you identify and address potential health concerns:

  • Dropeye: This is a common and largely cosmetic issue where one or both eyes point downwards. It’s often attributed to Arowanas constantly looking down for food (especially when fed sinking pellets or live foods at the bottom) or seeing reflections. While not life-threatening, it can be prevented by ensuring a varied diet with floating foods, using a dark background, or even placing a reflective ball in the tank for them to focus on.
  • Fin Rot: Ragged, frayed, or discolored fins usually indicate poor water quality or bacterial infection. Treat with large water changes and, if necessary, an appropriate antibacterial medication.
  • Ich (White Spot Disease): Small white spots resembling salt grains on the body and fins. This is a parasitic infection often triggered by stress or sudden temperature changes. Treat by slowly raising tank temperature (to 82-84°F, if safe for tank mates) and using an Ich medication.
  • Bacterial Infections: Red streaks on fins, ulcers, cloudy eyes, or general lethargy can indicate bacterial issues. Often a symptom of poor water quality or injury.
  • Popeye: One or both eyes protruding from the head. Can be caused by bacterial infection, poor water quality, or injury.
  • Swim Bladder Disorder: Difficulty swimming upright, floating, or sinking. Can be caused by overfeeding, poor diet, or internal bacterial infections.

Always isolate a sick fish in a hospital tank if possible to prevent spread and allow for targeted treatment without affecting the main display tank’s beneficial bacteria.

Stress Reduction: A Key to Longevity

A stressed Arowana is a sick Arowana waiting to happen. Minimizing stress is crucial for their long-term health.

  • Maintain stable water parameters and temperature.
  • Avoid sudden loud noises or bright lights around the tank.
  • Provide adequate hiding spots (even if they don’t use them, the option reduces stress).
  • Choose tank mates carefully, or keep them solitary if aggression is an issue.
  • Keep the tank lid secure to prevent jumping, which is often a stress response.

A calm, stable environment is your best bet for a happy, healthy dragon fish.

Advanced Arowana Fish Tips: Best Practices for Experienced Keepers

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you might look for ways to elevate your Arowana keeping. These advanced how to arowana fish tips focus on optimizing their environment and even considering their impact on the wider world.

Tank Mates: Choose Wisely (or Not at All)

Arowanas are predatory and territorial. Selecting tank mates requires careful consideration, especially for adult specimens.

  • Size Difference: Any fish small enough to fit in an Arowana’s mouth will eventually become a meal. Tank mates should be significantly larger than the Arowana’s mouth.
  • Temperament: Choose fish with similar water requirements that are robust, fast-swimming, and not overly aggressive or fin-nipping.
  • Good Candidates: Large, peaceful cichlids (like Oscar Cichlids, Green Terrors, or Severums if introduced young), large plecos (like common plecos or sailfin plecos), pacu, datnoids, or large catfishes (e.g., iridescent sharks).
  • Consider Solitary: For many Arowanas, particularly Asian species, a solitary setup is often the best and safest option, preventing stress and potential injury.

Always introduce tank mates carefully and observe interactions closely. Be prepared to separate fish if aggression becomes an issue.

Breeding Arowanas: A Challenging Endeavor

Breeding Arowanas in a home aquarium is extremely challenging and rarely achieved by the average hobbyist. It typically requires massive dedicated breeding ponds, very specific water conditions, and careful pairing of mature adults. If you’re interested in breeding, extensive research and specialized facilities are a must.

Sustainable Arowana Keeping: An Eco-Friendly Approach

As enthusiasts, we have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of the species and their natural habitats. Here are some sustainable arowana fish tips and an eco-friendly arowana fish tips approach:

  • Source Responsibly: For Asian Arowanas, always ensure you are purchasing from CITES-approved breeders with proper documentation. Avoid wild-caught specimens where possible, especially for endangered species.
  • Support Captive Breeding: By choosing captive-bred fish, you reduce pressure on wild populations.
  • Educate Others: Share your knowledge about responsible Arowana keeping.
  • Minimize Waste: Be mindful of water usage during changes, and dispose of aquarium waste properly.

Your passion for Arowanas can extend to their conservation, making your hobby even more meaningful.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arowana Care

Let’s tackle some common queries about keeping these magnificent fish, providing practical arowana fish tips guide answers.

How often should I feed my Arowana?

Juvenile Arowanas (under 12 inches) should be fed 2-3 times daily, while adult Arowanas typically thrive on a feeding schedule of once a day or every other day. Always offer portions they can consume within a few minutes, and remove uneaten food.

Can Arowanas live with other fish?

Yes, but with extreme caution. Arowanas are predatory. Any tank mate must be significantly larger than your Arowana’s mouth and possess a robust, non-aggressive temperament. Large cichlids, datnoids, or large plecos can sometimes work, but a solitary setup is often safest and less stressful for the Arowana.

What is “dropeye” and how can I prevent it?

Dropeye is a condition where an Arowana’s eye begins to sag downwards. It’s often linked to the fish constantly looking down (e.g., for food at the bottom of the tank, or reflections). You can help prevent it by feeding primarily floating foods, using a dark background, ensuring proper lighting, and maintaining excellent water quality.

How big do Arowanas get?

The size depends on the species. Silver Arowanas commonly reach 3 feet (90 cm) or more in home aquariums. Asian Arowanas typically grow to 2-2.5 feet (60-75 cm), and Jardini/Australian Arowanas are similar in size. Proper tank size and diet are crucial for them to reach their full, healthy potential.

Is keeping an Arowana expensive?

The initial cost of the fish varies wildly by species (Silver Arowanas are relatively inexpensive, while Asian Arowanas can cost thousands). However, the long-term expense of providing a proper home – a massive tank, powerful filtration, heating, quality food, and regular water changes – makes Arowana keeping a significant financial commitment regardless of the species.

Conclusion

Caring for an Arowana is a journey of dedication and learning, but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences an aquarist can undertake. By implementing these arowana fish tips, you’re not just keeping a fish; you’re nurturing a magnificent, living piece of art that will bring endless fascination to your home.

Remember, consistency in water quality, a varied diet, and a stable, spacious environment are the cornerstones of success. Don’t be intimidated by their grandeur; with the right knowledge and a little patience, you’ll be well on your way to providing a thriving home for your dragon fish.

Here at Aquifarm, we believe every aquarist can achieve their dream aquarium. Apply these practical tips, stay observant, and enjoy every moment with your incredible Arowana. You’ve got this!

Howard Parker
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