Arowana
Scleropages Formosus
This is an endangered species and therefore listed in Appendix 1 of CITES.
The word 'arowana' is from the Indonesian word 'arwana' or 'nirwana'; in English it means 'paradise'.
Arowana and Koi carp are the most beautiful fresh water fish. In South East Asia people call Arowana the 'paradise fish'.
This fish can be found in big rivers from several big islands of Indonesia like Kalimantan, Sumatra and Papua.
Pictured above ... A mature fully coloured Red Tailed Golden Arowana
Also known as the
Dragon Fish
Dragon Fish are found in S.E. Asia where it is popular and expensive. Each has its unique feature and colour, for example, Malaysia has her Gold Dragon Fish and Green Dragon Fish whereas Indonesia has her Red, Red-tail Gold and Green Dragon Fish.
We can classify them according to these 4 species:
- Indonesian Red-tail Gold Dragon Fish
- Malaysian Gold Dragon Fish or Malayan Bonytongue
- Indonesian Red Dragon Fish
- Green Dragon Fish
The Dragon Fish from S.E. Asia as compared to the South American Arowanas have rounder and broader bellies. When young, their back portions are horizontal. When fully grown, their backs become slightly arched. The depth of their body - 4 to 5.5 inches. Scales are coarse and big. Pelvic Fin and Anal Fin are of the same length. Caudal Fins have 2 shapes - Pear and Fan; 3 back fins (tail, anal, dorsal) are not joint; Mouth extremely big and slanting, the slit extends beyond the eyes, teeth tiny, closely packed and sharp, mouth is rectangular in shape when open. Eyes are big. A pair of mandibular barbels grow out of the tip of its lower mouth. This fish can grow up to 30 inches weighing 7 kilos in an Aquarium.
Breeding is not easy. Each time, approximately 40 to 70 eggs are laid of diameter about 1.72 cm. This fish is a mouth brooder. When hatched, the baby fishes cluster within the male Dragon Fish's mouth for protection. Normally, it is the male fish's duty to protect the babies in its mouth but when the number gets too big, the female does help.
In the wild, the fish lives near the surface of clean, standing or slow flowing shallow waters in blind arms of inland rivers and lakes in dense jungle. Water temperature of about 27°C, pH of 6.5 to 7.0 and water hardness of H8 are the characteristics of the water it thrives in. It is aggressive in nature and very defensive about its habitat.
Click here for the Arowana shop
Cultural beliefs
Asian arowanas are considered "lucky" by many people, particularly those from Asian cultures.
This reputation derives from the species' resemblance to the Chinese dragon, considered an auspicious symbol.
The large metallic scales and double barbels are features shared by the Chinese dragon, and the large
pectoral fins are said to make the fish resemble "a dragon in full flight."
In addition, positive Feng Shui associations with water and the colours red and gold make these fishes
popular for aquariums. One belief is that while water is a place where chi gathers, it is naturally
a source of yin energy and must contain an "auspicious" fish such as an arowana in order to have balancing yang energy.
Another is that a fish can preserve its owner from death by dying itself.
Above - Violet Fusion Super Red
Conservation
Asian arowanas are listed as endangered by the 2006 International Union for Conservation in Nature (IUCN) Red List.
International trade in these fishes is controlled under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),
under which it was placed on Appendix I, the most restrictive category, in 1975. Scleropages formosus is one of only eight fish species listed on Appendix I. There are a number of registered CITES breeders in Asia and the specimens they produce can be imported into some other nations (including England). Other nations restrict or prohibit possession of Asian arowanas; for example,
the United States has listed this species under the Endangered Species Act, and therefore it cannot be possessed in that
country without a permit.
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Australian Arowana
Scleropages Jardinii
Jardini Pearl Arowana - Cape York, Northern Australia
above ... Jardini (Pearl) Arowana
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South American Arowana
Osteoglossum Bicirrhosum
Silver Arowana - Amazon basin, Brazil.
Only one Silver Arowana left in stock now ... 10-12inch ... £60
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South American
Osteoglossum Ferreirai
Black Arowana - Rio Negro, Brazil.
none in stock.
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Heterotis Niloticus
none in stock.