Arowana Care at a Glance
Arowanas are ancient 'dragon fish' that need very large tanks, pristine water, and a committed keeper.
Arowana Species
| Arowana Species | Adult Size | Tank Size | Color | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Silver | 24-30" | 180+ gal | Silver/blue | Advanced |
| Asian Gold | 30-36" | 200+ gal | Gold/red | Expert Only |
| Australian Pearl | 24-30" | 150+ gal | Silver/pearl | Intermediate |
| Black Arowana | 24-36" | 200+ gal | Dark gray/black | Advanced |
| Silver Arowana | 24-36" | 180+ gal | Silver | Intermediate |
Arowana Care Flow
Arowana Growth Stages
Arowana Care Essentials
| Tank: 180+ gallons, 6+ ft long, minimum 24" wide | |
| Lid REQUIRED — arowanas are legendary jumpers that clear 4+ feet | |
| Canister or sump filtration rated for 3-4x tank volume | |
| Weekly 30-50% water changes with matched temperature | |
| Feed varied diet: crickets, shrimp, pellets, occasional feeder fish | |
| Keep in tanks under 100 gallons (stunts growth and causes aggression) | |
| Skip the lid — 'they don't jump that high' (they do) | |
| Overfeed live goldfish (causes fatty liver disease) |
Arowanas are NOT beginner fish. They require 150+ gallon tanks, heavy filtration, pristine water, and a sealed lid. Asian Arowanas (Scleropages formosus) are CITES-protected and require documentation in many countries. Their 'dragon fish' nickname comes from their scales that resemble traditional Chinese dragon paintings.
The most common arowana killer is jumping from uncovered tanks — they can clear 4+ feet when startled. A heavy glass or acrylic lid with no gaps is mandatory. The second most common cause is stunting from undersized tanks. Arowanas need length, not just height — a 6-foot tank is the minimum.
Arowanas are ancient, powerful predatory fish that reach 24-48 inches depending on species and require tanks of 250-400+ gallons for adult specimens. Asian arowanas (Scleropages formosus) are protected under CITES Appendix I and legal only as certified captive-bred fish in countries that allow them -- in the US, all Asian arowana possession is illegal without special permits. Silver arowanas (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) and jardini arowanas (Scleropages jardinii) are the legally available alternatives. All arowanas are jumpers that can clear a standard tank lid -- covers must be locked or weighted.
| Species | Max Size | Legal (US) | Min Tank (Adult) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver arowana | 35–48 in | Yes | 300–400 gal |
| Jardini arowana | 24–30 in | Yes | 250 gal; highly aggressive |
| Asian arowana | Up to 36 in | Illegal — CITES I | Legal only in select countries with documentation |
Species Overview and Legal Status
The arowana family (Osteoglossidae) includes several species with very different care requirements and legal statuses. Silver arowanas from South America are the most widely available and least expensive ($20-$80 as juveniles), reaching 35-48 inches. They are active, aggressive, and require the largest tanks. Jardini arowanas (Australia/New Guinea) are smaller (24-30 inches) and arguably more manageable, but highly aggressive toward tank mates.
Asian arowanas -- golden, super red, green -- are culturally significant in Southeast Asia as symbols of luck and prosperity and fetch $300-$30,000+ for premium specimens in countries where legal. Their CITES Appendix I protection means international trade requires export/import documentation from authorized breeders; in the US, the Endangered Species Act makes possession illegal regardless of captive-bred status. Verify legality in your country before any purchase.
Tank Requirements: There Is No Small Version
A juvenile arowana can be housed in a 55-75 gallon tank temporarily, but grows 1-2 inches per month and will outgrow even 125-gallon tanks within 2 years. Adult silver arowanas need 300-400 gallons minimum. The tank must be long and wide rather than tall -- arowanas are surface swimmers that need horizontal swim distance, not depth. Standard aquarium covers do not prevent jumps; custom-built locked or weighted lids are essential since arowanas regularly jump 2-3 feet and will breach inadequate covers.
Filtration must handle the bioload of a large predator: sump systems with biological filtration rated at 5-10x tank volume per hour are standard. Weekly 20-30% water changes maintain water quality. Temperature 75-82 degrees F, pH 6.5-7.5, very soft water preferred for Silver arowanas (mimicking Amazon blackwater conditions).
Feeding: Live Prey Is Often the Starting Point
Wild arowanas eat surface prey: insects, frogs, small birds, lizards, and fish they observe from below. Captive arowanas often start on live feeder insects (crickets, super worms, roaches) or live fish before transitioning to prepared foods. Training to accept frozen/thawed shrimp, krill, cichlid sticks, and carnivore pellets takes patience but reduces disease transmission risk compared to live feeders. Feed 2-3 times daily for juveniles, once every 2-3 days for adults.
Drop eye (the eyes permanently rotating downward) is the most common chronic problem in captive arowanas -- caused by fixating on prey items placed on the tank floor or reflections in the glass. Suspend food from the surface or use floating pellets to encourage upward gaze. Treatment is limited once established, making prevention critical.
Tank Mates: Very Limited Options
Arowanas should generally be kept alone or with large tank mates too big to eat and fast enough to avoid being eaten. Compatible companions in a very large tank: large plecos (18+ inches), datnoids (tiger fish), large gourami species, Bichirs, and other large fish. Other arowanas are incompatible in most setups -- severe aggression and territorial fighting result. Never house with smaller fish that can be consumed.
Sources: CITES Appendix I, Scleropages formosus listing; USFWS Endangered Species Act import regulations; Pouyaud L et al., "Asian arowana systematics" (PLOS ONE, 2003); Axelrod HR, "Handbook of Ornamental Fish" (TFH Publications).