Giant Arowana Fish Vs Arapaima – The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Your

Written ByHoward Parker

So, you’re dreaming of an aquarium that truly stands out? A centerpiece that commands attention and showcases the raw power and beauty of nature’s most impressive freshwater giants? We agree—the allure of colossal predators like the arowana and arapaima is undeniable. For many seasoned aquarists, reaching this pinnacle of fish keeping is a lifelong aspiration.

But here’s the honest truth, my friend: bringing home one of these magnificent creatures is a monumental commitment. It’s a journey that demands extensive research, significant resources, and a deep understanding of their unique needs. That’s why we’re here today.

At Aquifarm, we’re passionate about helping you succeed at every level of your aquarium journey. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of the giant arowana fish vs arapaima. We’ll compare their incredible attributes, explore their demanding care requirements, and equip you with the expert knowledge needed to make an informed decision. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which apex predator, if any, is the right fit for your home and your aquarist ambitions.

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Unveiling the Giants: Arowana vs. Arapaima at a Glance

Before we delve into the intricate details, let’s get a quick overview of these two incredible fish. Both the arowana and the arapaima are freshwater titans from South America, revered for their ancient lineage and imposing presence. They represent the ultimate challenge and reward for dedicated aquarists.

The choice between a giant arowana fish vs arapaima isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about understanding distinct biological needs and long-term commitments. This section serves as a quick guide to their primary characteristics, setting the stage for a deeper dive.

When considering either of these magnificent species, remember that “giant” is not an exaggeration. We’re talking about fish that will easily outgrow most conventional home aquariums, demanding specialized setups and ongoing dedication. Let’s look at the basic facts.

The Arowana: A Glimpse of the Silver Dragon

Often called the “dragon fish,” the Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is perhaps the most commonly available of the giant arowana species. It’s known for its sleek, metallic scales and graceful, undulating swimming motion. They are active, top-dwelling predators.

  • Origin: Amazon Basin, South America.
  • Max Size: Up to 3-4 feet (1 meter or more) in captivity, larger in the wild.
  • Lifespan: 15-20 years with proper care.
  • Temperament: Generally solitary and predatory; can be aggressive towards tank mates.

The Arapaima: The Ancient River Monster

The Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) is truly a living fossil, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. Its sheer size and unique ability to breathe air make it an incredibly captivating, albeit challenging, species to keep. They possess an almost prehistoric charm.

  • Origin: Amazon and Essequibo basins, South America.
  • Max Size: Can exceed 10 feet (3 meters) in the wild; 6-8 feet in captivity is still massive.
  • Lifespan: 15-20 years, potentially longer.
  • Temperament: Generally calm for their size, but immensely powerful and can be territorial.

This initial comparison highlights that while both are giants, they present very different scales of commitment. Understanding these fundamental differences is crucial for any aspiring owner, forming the basis of your giant arowana fish vs arapaima guide.

Giant Arowana Fish: The Silver Dragon’s Majesty

The Silver Arowana is a truly iconic fish, captivating aquarists with its shimmering scales and majestic presence. It’s a fish that demands respect and a well-planned environment. Let’s explore what it takes to provide a thriving home for this incredible creature.

Species Spotlight: The Magnificent Arowana

Silver Arowanas are long, slender fish with large, iridescent scales and a distinctive underslung mouth. They are ambush predators, often found lurking near the surface, ready to leap out of the water to catch insects or small birds. Their powerful jaws and impressive swimming ability make them formidable hunters in their natural habitat.

In the aquarium, their elegance is unmatched. They cruise with an almost regal air, their long pectoral fins flowing behind them. While “Silver Arowana” is the common term, other arowana species exist, such as the Black Arowana (Osteoglossum ferreirai), which also grows to a substantial size, or the highly prized, and often regulated, Asian Arowanas.

Arowana Aquarium Requirements: Space and Setup

This is where the reality of keeping a giant arowana fish truly sets in. Arowanas grow large, and they grow fast. Housing an adult requires a significant investment in tank size and filtration.

  • Tank Size: For a single adult Silver Arowana, a minimum of 300 gallons (1135 liters) is recommended, but 500+ gallons is truly ideal. Length is more important than height; aim for at least 8-10 feet (2.4-3 meters) long and 3 feet (0.9 meters) wide.
  • Filtration: Arowanas are messy eaters and produce a lot of waste. You’ll need robust external filtration – multiple canister filters, a large sump system, or a combination. Aim for excellent mechanical and biological filtration.
  • Water Parameters: Maintain stable conditions. Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C), pH: 6.0-7.5, Hardness: 5-15 dGH. Regular, large water changes (30-50% weekly) are essential for pristine water quality.
  • Lid: Arowanas are notorious jumpers! A heavy, secure lid with no gaps is non-negotiable.
  • Decor: Provide open swimming space. A few large, smooth rocks or driftwood pieces are fine, but avoid anything sharp. Substrate can be fine gravel or sand.

Adhering to these requirements is key to a successful giant arowana fish care guide. Skimping on tank size or filtration will lead to a stressed, unhealthy fish.

Diet and Feeding: Keeping Your Arowana Thriving

Arowanas are carnivores with a strong predatory instinct. Their diet should be varied and nutritious to ensure optimal health and vibrant coloration.

  • Staple Diet: High-quality arowana pellets or sticks should form the base.
  • Live/Frozen Foods: Supplement with a variety of protein-rich foods like large feeder shrimp, krill, mussels, earthworms, crickets, and occasional small fish (ensure they are disease-free and gut-loaded). Avoid feeding too many fatty foods like rosy reds.
  • Feeding Frequency: Juveniles can be fed 2-3 times a day. Adults typically do well with once a day or every other day. Watch their body condition; they should be well-fed but not bloated.

Temperament and Tank Mates: Arowana Best Practices

Arowanas are generally solitary fish and can be quite aggressive towards other fish, especially those of similar size or shape. They are also known for their territorial nature.

  • Tank Mates: If you choose tank mates, they must be significantly larger or smaller than the arowana, and robust enough to handle its presence. Good options include large plecos, stingrays (in appropriately sized tanks), large cichlids (like oscars, though caution is advised), or other large, fast-moving fish that occupy different parts of the water column. Avoid anything that can fit in its mouth.
  • Aggression: Be prepared for potential aggression, especially if introduced to new tank mates. Always observe carefully.
  • Drop Eye: A common issue in captivity, where one or both eyes begin to droop downwards. While the exact cause is debated, it’s often linked to constantly looking down at food or tank activity, or diet. Some aquarists try to mitigate it with surface feeding or by placing a floating ball in the tank.

Following these giant arowana fish vs arapaima best practices for arowanas will help you maintain a healthy and less stressed specimen.

Arapaima Gigas: The Living Fossil’s Power

If the arowana is a dragon, the arapaima is a prehistoric leviathan. Keeping an arapaima is not merely fish keeping; it’s managing a significant aquatic ecosystem. This fish is a true commitment for the most advanced and dedicated aquarists.

Species Spotlight: The Ancient Arapaima

Arapaima are truly magnificent. Their bodies are covered in large, tough, mosaic-like scales, and they have a distinctive, flattened head. What truly sets them apart is their modified swim bladder, which functions as a primitive lung, allowing them to breathe atmospheric air. You’ll regularly see them surface for a gulp of air, a fascinating sight that reminds you of their ancient lineage.

They are incredibly powerful fish, capable of rapid growth. Their sheer mass and strength mean that every aspect of their care must be scaled up proportionally. These fish are not for the faint of heart, or for those with limited space.

Arapaima Aquarium Requirements: Building a Behemoth’s Home

Let’s be unequivocally clear: an adult arapaima cannot be kept in a typical home aquarium. They demand a custom-built, pond-sized indoor or outdoor facility. This is the biggest hurdle when considering how to giant arowana fish vs arapaima in terms of setup.

  • Tank Size: This is the most critical factor. For a juvenile, a 1000-gallon tank might suffice temporarily, but an adult will require a tank or pond of 5,000 gallons (18,927 liters) or more. We’re talking about a swimming pool-sized enclosure for a fully grown specimen. Imagine an 8-foot-long, 200-pound fish – it needs vast space to turn and thrive.
  • Filtration: Even more crucial than for an arowana. Industrial-grade filtration is necessary, often involving multiple large sumps, biological filters, and powerful pumps to handle the immense bioload. Water changes will still be massive and frequent.
  • Water Parameters: Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C), pH: 6.0-7.5, Hardness: 5-15 dGH. Stability is paramount.
  • Lid/Containment: While not as prone to jumping as arowanas, their sheer power means any lid or enclosure must be incredibly robust to prevent accidental escapes or damage.
  • Substrate/Decor: Minimal decor is best to maximize swimming space and prevent injury. Smooth, large rocks or driftwood can be used, but prioritize open water.

Failing to provide adequate space is one of the most common problems with giant arowana fish vs arapaima when people attempt to keep the latter. Stunted growth, stress, and premature death are inevitable outcomes in undersized tanks.

Feeding the Giant: Arapaima’s Voracious Appetite

An arapaima’s diet mirrors its size: enormous. They are obligate carnivores and will consume vast quantities of food.

  • Diet: Large quantities of whole fish (tilapia, smelt, mackerel), large shrimp, mussels, and high-quality large carnivore pellets.
  • Feeding Frequency: Juveniles can be fed daily, but adults might only need feeding every few days, depending on the quantity. They can consume several pounds of food in a single sitting.
  • Cost: Be prepared for a substantial food bill. Feeding an adult arapaima can be as expensive as feeding a large dog, if not more so.

Temperament and Social Dynamics: Arapaima Challenges

Arapaima, despite their size, can appear somewhat placid. However, their immense power means they can easily injure themselves or their keepers if startled or aggressive. They are generally best kept as solitary specimens.

  • Tank Mates: Very few fish can safely cohabitate with an adult arapaima. Other large, robust, and fast-moving fish might be considered in truly colossal setups (e.g., very large stingrays, large pacu), but extreme caution and observation are necessary. They will eat anything that fits in their mouth, and even things that don’t, given enough determination.
  • Interaction: While they can become accustomed to their keeper, direct interaction should always be approached with respect for their size and power.

The challenges of keeping an arapaima are on a different level compared to an arowana, making the giant arowana fish vs arapaima comparison stark.

Direct Comparison: Giant Arowana Fish vs Arapaima – Who Wins Your Tank?

Now that we’ve looked at each species individually, let’s put them side-by-side. The decision of which, if either, to keep comes down to a realistic assessment of your resources, space, and commitment. This direct comparison offers crucial giant arowana fish vs arapaima tips for making your choice.

Size and Growth Rate: A Clear Distinction

This is perhaps the most significant differentiator.

  • Arowana: Reaches 3-4 feet. A large fish, but manageable in a very large home aquarium.
  • Arapaima: Easily reaches 6-8 feet in captivity, with the potential to exceed 10 feet. This is not just a large fish; it’s a small submarine.

Arapaima grow incredibly fast, especially when young, quickly outgrowing even large “temporary” tanks. An arowana’s growth is also rapid but within a more constrained maximum.

Tank Footprint and Long-Term Commitment

The tank requirements are the ultimate deciding factor for most aquarists.

  • Arowana: Requires a 300-500+ gallon tank, ideally 8-10 feet long. This is a massive, but still somewhat common, custom aquarium size for dedicated hobbyists.
  • Arapaima: Demands 5,000+ gallons. This moves beyond an “aquarium” into a custom-built indoor pond or dedicated aquatic facility. The structural integrity of your home, the floor loading, and the sheer volume of water are immense considerations.

Both fish live for 15-20 years, meaning you are committing to maintaining these colossal setups for decades. This includes ongoing energy costs for heating and filtration, and significant water changes.

Dietary Demands and Costs

Both are predatory, but the scale differs dramatically.

  • Arowana: Eats large pellets, shrimp, krill, and occasional feeder fish. Food costs are substantial but manageable for a single fish.
  • Arapaima: Consumes whole fish and large quantities of other protein. Food costs will be extremely high, easily hundreds of dollars per month for an adult.

Temperament and Compatibility: Arowana vs. Arapaima Personalities

Their personalities also offer a contrast.

  • Arowana: Active, surface-dwelling, often aggressive towards tank mates. They are dynamic and constantly moving.
  • Arapaima: Can be more placid for their size, but incredibly powerful. They spend time cruising and often resting at the surface. Their sheer size dictates that almost no other fish can safely cohabitate with them in less than truly gargantuan systems.

Ease of Care and Experience Level

Neither of these fish is for beginners. Both are firmly in the advanced to expert category. However, there’s a clear gradient.

  • Arowana: Requires advanced experience in large fish keeping, significant space, and robust filtration. It’s a challenge, but one many experienced hobbyists can aspire to.
  • Arapaima: Requires expert-level knowledge, custom facilities, and resources akin to a public aquarium. This is for the truly dedicated, often those with commercial or semi-commercial setups.

In the showdown of giant arowana fish vs arapaima, the arowana is a monumental undertaking, but the arapaima is an order of magnitude more demanding in every conceivable way.

Sustainable and Ethical Considerations for Giant Predators

As responsible aquarists, our commitment extends beyond tank maintenance. When considering species of this magnitude, especially those from sensitive ecosystems, ethical and sustainable practices are paramount. This is where sustainable giant arowana fish vs arapaima practices come into play.

Sourcing Your Giant Fish Responsibly

The origin of your fish matters. Always prioritize suppliers who practice ethical and sustainable sourcing.

  • Captive-Bred: Wherever possible, choose captive-bred specimens. This reduces pressure on wild populations and often results in hardier fish accustomed to aquarium life. Many Silver Arowanas are now captive-bred.
  • Wild-Caught: If considering wild-caught, ensure they come from legal, permitted sources that adhere to conservation guidelines. For Asian Arowanas, strict CITES regulations apply due to their endangered status. Arapaima are also subject to various regulations, and their trade is often restricted.
  • Research Suppliers: Buy from reputable dealers who can provide documentation of origin and demonstrate knowledge of the species’ welfare.

Planning for the Future: Rehoming and Lifelong Care

Both arowanas and arapaimas have long lifespans and will outgrow even large tanks if not properly planned for. It’s vital to consider their entire life cycle before bringing them home.

  • Growth Potential: Understand that a small juvenile will become a massive adult. Do you have a plan for its full adult size?
  • Rehoming Options: Research local fish clubs, public aquariums, or specialized rehoming services *before* you acquire the fish. It’s incredibly difficult to find suitable homes for fully grown giants, and releasing them into non-native waters is both illegal and environmentally damaging.
  • Financial Commitment: Factor in the long-term costs of food, electricity, maintenance, and potential veterinary care over two decades. This forms a core part of an eco-friendly giant arowana fish vs arapaima approach, as it prevents impulse buys that lead to suffering fish.

Responsible aquarism means thinking ahead and committing to the lifelong welfare of these incredible animals.

Common Problems with Giant Arowana Fish vs Arapaima and How to Solve Them

Even with the best intentions, challenges can arise when keeping these magnificent fish. Being prepared for common problems with giant arowana fish vs arapaima is a mark of a truly experienced aquarist.

Tank Size Limitations: The #1 Challenge

This is by far the most frequent and severe problem. Many aquarists underestimate the sheer growth rate and ultimate size of these fish.

  • Problem: Stunted growth, deformed spines, increased aggression, stress, disease susceptibility, and premature death due to inadequate space.
  • Solution: Plan for the adult size from day one. If your fish is outgrowing its tank, the only responsible solution is to upgrade to a larger system or find a suitable rehoming option *immediately*. Do not wait until the fish is visibly suffering.

Water Quality Management for Giants

Large predatory fish produce a massive bioload, making pristine water quality a constant battle.

  • Problem: High ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels leading to fin rot, cloudy eyes, lethargy, and ultimately death.
  • Solution: Implement an oversized filtration system (multiple sumps, large canister filters, protein skimmers for some setups). Perform frequent, large water changes (30-50% weekly or bi-weekly). Invest in high-quality water testing kits and use them regularly.

Dietary Deficiencies and Health Issues

A restricted or unbalanced diet can lead to health problems unique to these species.

  • Problem: Malnutrition, ‘drop eye’ in arowanas, stunted growth, weakened immune system.
  • Solution: Provide a varied diet of high-quality pellets, frozen foods, and appropriate live prey. Avoid relying solely on one food type. For arowanas, ensure varied feeding locations to encourage upward gaze.

Aggression and Tank Mate Conflicts

As apex predators, aggression is part of their nature.

  • Problem: Injury or death of tank mates, stress to the main fish, or even damage to the tank itself (especially with arapaima).
  • Solution: Carefully select tank mates that are either too large to be eaten, too fast to be caught, or occupy a completely different water column. Always introduce new fish with caution and monitor interactions closely. Be prepared to separate if necessary. For arapaima, solitary keeping is often the safest bet.

Addressing these challenges proactively ensures the health and longevity of your magnificent fish, reflecting true giant arowana fish vs arapaima best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Giant Arowana Fish vs Arapaima

Let’s tackle some of the most common questions aspiring and current owners have about these incredible creatures.

Can I keep an Arowana and an Arapaima together?

While theoretically possible in truly enormous, custom-built public aquarium-sized systems (think tens of thousands of gallons), it is highly unadvisable for the home aquarist. The size difference, power disparity, and potential for aggression from both species make it an extremely high-risk endeavor. An arapaima could easily injure or kill an arowana, and vice-versa, if conditions aren’t perfect. It’s generally best to keep them separate.

How fast do these fish grow?

Both species exhibit rapid growth, especially in their juvenile stages, given proper feeding and pristine water conditions. An arowana can easily grow several inches a month when young, reaching a foot or more in its first year. Arapaima grow even faster, capable of adding a foot or more in length in just a few months, quickly outgrowing smaller tanks.

What is the minimum tank size for an adult Arowana/Arapaima?

For an adult Silver Arowana, a minimum of 300 gallons (1135 liters) is recommended, with 500+ gallons being ideal for long-term health, ensuring a tank length of at least 8-10 feet. For an adult Arapaima, the minimum is significantly larger—at least 5,000 gallons (18,927 liters) for a single specimen, effectively requiring a custom-built indoor pond or dedicated facility. There is no such thing as “too big” for an arapaima.

Are these fish legal to own?

The legality of owning arowanas and arapaima varies widely by region, state, and country. Silver Arowanas are generally legal in many places, but certain Asian Arowana species are CITES-listed and require special permits. Arapaima ownership is often restricted or outright illegal in many areas due to their size and potential impact if released. Always research and comply with your local, state, and national regulations before acquiring either fish. Do your homework!

What are the benefits of giant arowana fish vs arapaima?

The “benefits” here refer to the rewards and unique experiences of keeping such magnificent creatures, rather than a direct comparison of advantages. For both, the primary benefit is the unparalleled awe and satisfaction of caring for an apex predator. They are living pieces of natural history, showcasing incredible power and ancient beauty. The challenge of providing perfect care, seeing them thrive, and observing their natural behaviors is immensely rewarding for the dedicated aquarist. They become the undisputed centerpiece of any collection, a testament to serious commitment and expertise in the hobby.

Conclusion

The journey to keeping a giant arowana fish vs arapaima is not one to be taken lightly. Both are extraordinary creatures that represent

Howard Parker
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