Silver Arowana Fish – The Ultimate Care Guide For A Thriving Aquatic

Written ByHoward Parker

Ever gazed at the mesmerizing dance of a majestic fish and dreamed of bringing that captivating presence into your home aquarium? For many aquarists, that dream takes the form of the incredible silver arowana fish. These magnificent “aquatic dragons” are renowned for their shimmering scales, graceful movements, and impressive size, making them a true centerpiece in any large tank.

But let’s be honest: the idea of caring for such a grand creature can feel a little daunting, especially if you’re new to keeping larger species. You might be wondering, “How do I even begin to provide a home for something so spectacular?” Don’t worry, you’re in the right place!

At Aquifarm, we’re passionate about helping you create thriving aquatic environments. This comprehensive silver arowana fish guide is designed to demystify their care, offering practical, expert advice that will empower you to keep your arowana healthy, happy, and truly majestic. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from initial tank setup and diet to understanding their unique behaviors and preventing common problems. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the silver arowana fish tips you need to confidently embark on this incredibly rewarding journey.

Discovering the Majestic Silver Arowana Fish: An Introduction to Your Aquatic Dragon

The silver arowana fish (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) hails from the Amazon basin in South America, where it’s known for its incredible leaping ability and predatory nature. In the aquarium hobby, it’s celebrated for its distinctive elongated body, large scales that shimmer with a metallic silver hue, and its unique, upward-facing mouth designed for surface feeding.

These fish are often called “dragon fish” due to their ancient appearance and powerful presence. They are truly living fossils, having changed little over millions of years. Watching a healthy silver arowana glide through its tank is an experience that brings a unique sense of peace and wonder.

One of the main benefits of silver arowana fish is their undeniable ‘wow’ factor. They are incredibly active swimmers, constantly patrolling their territory and interacting with their environment. Their striking appearance and dynamic personality make them a conversation starter and a captivating focal point for any room. While they grow large, their generally docile nature towards non-food items makes them a rewarding pet for those prepared for their size.

Setting Up the Perfect Home: Essential Silver Arowana Fish Tank Requirements

When it comes to learning how to silver arowana fish successfully, the tank setup is paramount. These fish grow incredibly large and require a substantial amount of space to thrive. Skimping on tank size is one of the most common mistakes new owners make.

Choosing the Right Tank Size: Giving Your Arowana Room to Roam

Let’s be clear: a silver arowana fish is not for small tanks. Juveniles might start in 75-100 gallons, but they grow rapidly. An adult silver arowana can reach lengths of 3 to 4 feet in captivity. This means they need an absolute minimum of a 250-gallon tank, with 300-500 gallons being far more ideal for their long-term health and well-being. Think long and wide, rather than just tall, to accommodate their swimming patterns.

A longer tank allows them ample space to turn and swim without constantly bumping into glass. A wider tank provides more surface area for oxygen exchange and allows for better aquascaping without hindering their movement. Remember, this is a lifelong commitment, so plan for their adult size from day one.

Filtration and Water Flow: Keeping Things Crystal Clear

Given the sheer size and appetite of a silver arowana fish, robust filtration is non-negotiable. You’ll need a powerful, multi-stage filtration system that can handle a heavy bioload. This typically means a combination of:

  • Mechanical Filtration: To remove physical debris like uneaten food and waste.
  • Biological Filtration: To convert harmful ammonia and nitrites into less toxic nitrates.
  • Chemical Filtration: Such as activated carbon, to remove impurities and keep water crystal clear.

Canister filters are often favored for their efficiency and capacity, and many aquarists run multiple large filters on an arowana tank. Sump systems are also an excellent choice for their massive filtration capabilities and ease of maintenance. Ensure there’s enough water flow to keep the water oxygenated and clean, but not so strong that it stresses the fish.

Substrate and Decor: Safety First for Your Aquatic Dragon

When designing the interior of your silver arowana fish tank, prioritize safety and open swimming space. Arowanas are powerful and can easily injure themselves on sharp objects.

  • Substrate: Opt for fine sand or smooth, rounded gravel. This is easy to clean and won’t harm your arowana if it inadvertently brushes against it.
  • Decor: Keep it minimal. Large, smooth rocks, sturdy driftwood, or artificial plants with no sharp edges are good choices. Ensure all decor is securely placed and cannot topple over. Arowanas are known for their powerful movements and can easily dislodge unsecured items.
  • Open Space: The most crucial element is ample open swimming space. These fish need room to turn and accelerate without obstruction.

And here’s a crucial tip: invest in a very secure, heavy-duty lid. Silver arowana fish are incredible jumpers, and even a small gap can lead to an escape attempt. Many arowana owners have learned this the hard way!

Water Parameters: The Key to a Healthy Silver Arowana Fish Habitat

Maintaining stable and appropriate water parameters is fundamental to any silver arowana fish care guide. These fish are sensitive to fluctuations, and consistent water quality is a cornerstone of their health.

  • Temperature: Keep the water temperature stable between 75-82°F (24-28°C). A reliable heater (or multiple heaters for large tanks) is essential.
  • pH Level: A slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal, typically between 6.5 and 7.5. Avoid extreme fluctuations.
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (dH 5-15) is generally preferred.
  • Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate: Ammonia and nitrite should always be at zero. Nitrates should be kept as low as possible, ideally below 20 ppm. Regular testing with a reliable test kit is non-negotiable.

To uphold these silver arowana fish best practices, perform regular, large water changes. For a large arowana tank, this might mean 25-50% of the water volume weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your filtration and stocking levels. Always use a dechlorinator and match the new water’s temperature to the tank’s water to avoid shocking your fish.

Fueling Your Dragon: A Comprehensive Silver Arowana Fish Feeding Guide

A proper diet is vital for the growth, coloration, and overall vitality of your silver arowana fish. As carnivores, they have specific dietary needs that must be met to ensure they thrive.

Understanding Their Diet: What and How to Feed

In the wild, silver arowanas are opportunistic predators, consuming insects, smaller fish, and even small birds or bats that fall onto the water’s surface. In captivity, a varied diet is key to providing all necessary nutrients.

  • Staple Foods: High-quality, specially formulated arowana pellets or sticks can form the base of their diet. Look for brands with high protein content.
  • Frozen Foods: Offer a variety of frozen options such as bloodworms (for juveniles), krill, silversides, shrimp, and chunks of white fish (e.g., tilapia, cod). Ensure any fish offered are gut-loaded and free of thiaminase.
  • Live Foods (with caution): While tempting, live feeder fish can carry diseases and parasites. If you choose to feed live fish, quarantine them thoroughly and ideally gut-load them yourself. Live insects like crickets or superworms can be a good treat, but avoid feeding too many fatty insects.

Avoid feeding mammalian or avian meat (like beef heart or chicken) as these are too fatty and difficult for them to digest, potentially leading to long-term health issues.

Feeding Frequency and Portion Size: Growing a Healthy Arowana

The feeding regimen for your silver arowana fish will depend on its age and size.

  • Juveniles: Young arowanas (under 12 inches) grow rapidly and should be fed 2-3 times a day, offering as much as they can consume in a few minutes.
  • Adults: Mature arowanas (over 12 inches) can be fed once a day or every other day. Offer a quantity that satisfies them without leaving excess food to rot in the tank.

Always remove any uneaten food promptly to maintain water quality. Overfeeding can lead to digestive issues and pollute the tank, making water parameter maintenance much harder.

Tank Mates & Temperament: Finding Companions for Your Silver Arowana Fish

Considering tank mates for a silver arowana fish requires careful thought. While they are generally not aggressive towards fish too large to eat, their predatory instincts are strong. Any fish that can fit into their mouth will be eaten.

The Solitary Path vs. Community Life

Many aquarists choose to keep their silver arowana fish as a solitary specimen, and this is often the safest and easiest option. A lone arowana will be the undisputed king of its castle and can truly flourish without competition or stress.

However, if you’re set on a community tank, choose companions very carefully. Ideal tank mates are:

  • Large: Significantly larger than the arowana’s mouth.
  • Peaceful: Not overly aggressive or territorial themselves.
  • Fast-moving: Able to evade the arowana if necessary.
  • Bottom/Mid-Dwellers: Occupy different levels of the water column to minimize direct competition.

Compatible Tank Mate Suggestions

Some commonly suggested tank mates for a mature silver arowana fish in a very large aquarium include:

  • Large Plecos (e.g., Common Pleco, Sailfin Pleco)
  • Pacu (requires an even larger tank)
  • Datnoids (Siamese Tigerfish)
  • Large Catfish (e.g., Redtail Catfish – again, enormous tank needed)
  • Other large, robust cichlids (e.g., Green Terror, Oscar – with caution)

Always introduce tank mates at a similar size to your arowana, or larger. Monitor interactions closely, especially during feeding. Any signs of stress or aggression from either side should prompt immediate separation. Remember, even with compatible species, there’s always a risk when mixing large predatory fish.

Common Problems with Silver Arowana Fish and How to Solve Them

Even with the best intentions and diligent care, you might encounter some common issues when keeping a silver arowana fish. Knowing what to look for and how to react is part of being an experienced aquarist.

Droopy Eye (DE): A Common Ailment

Droopy Eye, or DE, is a condition where one or both of the arowana’s eyes begin to point downwards. While not life-threatening, it can affect their appearance. The exact cause is debated, but common theories include:

  • Lack of Surface Feeding: If an arowana constantly looks down for food on the substrate, their eyes can adapt to this position.
  • High Fat Diet: Some believe excessive fatty foods can lead to fat deposits behind the eye, pushing it down.
  • Genetics: Some individuals may be more prone to it.

Prevention & Treatment: Focus on surface feeding, offer a varied and lean diet, and ensure your tank has a dark, non-reflective bottom. Some aquarists try keeping a ball on the surface or adding floating plants to encourage upward gaze. In severe cases, surgical intervention is an option but should be a last resort and performed by an experienced vet.

Fin Rot and Ich: Identifying and Treating

Like many fish, arowanas can suffer from common diseases, often triggered by poor water quality or stress.

  • Fin Rot: Characterized by frayed, ragged fins, sometimes with white or red edges. It’s often bacterial and a sign of poor water quality.
    • Treatment: Immediate large water changes, improve filtration, and consider a broad-spectrum antibacterial medication if conditions don’t improve.
  • Ich (White Spot Disease): Appears as small, white spots resembling salt grains on the body and fins. It’s a parasitic infection.
    • Treatment: Gradually raise tank temperature (if tank mates allow) to 82-86°F (28-30°C), increase aeration, and use an ich-specific medication according to product instructions.

Always quarantine new fish before introducing them to your arowana tank to prevent disease spread. These are crucial silver arowana fish tips for maintaining a healthy environment.

Jumping: The Arowana’s Instinct

As mentioned earlier, silver arowana fish are natural jumpers. In the wild, they leap to catch insects and small animals from overhanging branches. In an aquarium, this instinct remains. A secure, heavy lid is not just recommended; it’s absolutely essential.

Ensure there are no gaps around heaters, filters, or wires. Even a small opening is an invitation for an escape attempt, which can be fatal. If your arowana does jump out, quickly and gently return it to the tank, providing extra aeration and dim lighting to help it recover from the shock.

Stress: Signs and Mitigation

A stressed silver arowana fish will exhibit various signs, including:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Clamped fins
  • Rapid gill movement
  • Hiding excessively or darting frantically
  • Dull coloration

Causes of stress: Poor water quality, inappropriate tank mates, sudden changes in environment, loud noises, or insufficient hiding spots. Address the underlying cause immediately. Provide stable conditions, ensure peace and quiet around the tank, and maintain pristine water quality to help your arowana recover.

Sustainable Silver Arowana Fish Ownership: Ethical Practices for the Modern Aquarist

As enthusiasts, we have a responsibility to not only care for our pets but also to consider the broader impact of our hobby. This is particularly true for larger, wild-caught species like the silver arowana fish.

Responsible Sourcing and Environmental Impact

When acquiring a silver arowana fish, always seek out reputable dealers who can verify the source of their fish. Ideally, choose captive-bred specimens if available, as this reduces pressure on wild populations. While silver arowanas are not currently considered endangered, supporting responsible aquaculture practices contributes to the long-term sustainability of the species and the hobby.

Consider the journey your fish has made and the resources required to maintain its habitat. Opting for eco-friendly silver arowana fish practices means being mindful of energy consumption for heating and filtration, and responsible disposal of aquarium waste.

Long-Term Commitment: A Lifetime of Care

A silver arowana fish can live for 10-15 years, sometimes even longer, with proper care. This is a significant long-term commitment. Before purchasing, ensure you are prepared for:

  • The financial investment in a large tank and ongoing maintenance.
  • The time commitment for regular water changes and feeding.
  • The space required for an adult fish.
  • A plan for their care if your circumstances change in the future.

Embracing sustainable silver arowana fish ownership means recognizing that you are taking on the responsibility for a living creature for its entire lifespan. It’s a rewarding experience, but one that demands foresight and dedication.

Frequently Asked Questions About Silver Arowana Fish

How long do silver arowana fish live?

With excellent care, a silver arowana fish can live for 10 to 15 years, and sometimes even up to 20 years, in captivity. Their lifespan is largely dependent on tank size, water quality, and diet.

Are silver arowana fish hard to care for?

While not for complete beginners due to their large size and specific tank requirements, silver arowana fish are generally considered hardy once established in a suitable environment. The biggest challenge is providing an adequately sized tank and maintaining pristine water conditions. Don’t worry—these fish are perfect for beginners who are ready for a large tank!

What is the minimum tank size for an adult silver arowana?

For an adult silver arowana fish, the absolute minimum tank size is 250 gallons, but 300-500 gallons is highly recommended. The tank should be long and wide to accommodate their impressive length and active swimming habits.

Can silver arowana fish be kept with other fish?

Yes, but with extreme caution. Silver arowana fish are predatory and will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouth. Compatible tank mates must be significantly larger, peaceful, and ideally occupy different parts of the water column. Always monitor interactions closely.

How often should I feed my silver arowana?

Juvenile silver arowana fish should be fed 2-3 times a day. Adult arowanas typically do well with one feeding per day or every other day. Always provide a varied diet and remove any uneaten food promptly to prevent water pollution.

Conclusion: Your Journey with the Silver Arowana Fish

Bringing a silver arowana fish into your home is an incredible journey. It’s a commitment to providing a magnificent creature with the space, care, and attention it deserves. By following the detailed advice in this silver arowana fish care guide, you’re not just housing a fish; you’re nurturing a living piece of aquatic history.

Remember, the core principles are simple: a massive tank, impeccable water quality, and a varied, nutritious diet. Armed with these silver arowana fish best practices, you’re well on your way to enjoying years of wonder and fascination with your very own aquatic dragon. The rewards of watching these majestic fish thrive are immeasurable, turning your aquarium into a breathtaking display of nature’s grandeur.

Go forth, set up that dream tank, and enjoy the incredible experience of keeping a silver arowana. Happy fishkeeping!

Howard Parker
Latest posts by Howard Parker (see all)