Wednesday, July 28, 2010

What is Arowana?




Common name:


Asian arowana, Dragon fish, Asian Bonytongue

Scientific name:Scleropages formosus
Synonyms:(none)
Size:Up to 36" (92cm) reported, but usually smaller in aquariums
- around 18-22" (46-56cm).

Origin:Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia (Kalimantan and Sumatra),
Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Tank setup:A large tank (recommend 6x2x2'/ 183 x 61 x 61cm or larger)
with plenty of open swimming space.

Compatibility:Keep with other very large fish which cannot be swallowed.
Sometimes aggressive to other species, probably best kept
alone as a specimen fish. Groups of similar sized individuals
can be kept together, but this necessitates huge tanks which
are beyond the means of most home aquarists.

Temperature:24-30oC (75-86oF)
Water chemistry:Soft and acidic (pH 6.0-6.5) ideally, but the exact pH and
hardness are not critical - the water quality is much more
important (e.g. low nitrates, zero ammonia and nitrite).

Feeding:Carnivorous: earthworms, insects, will accept dead meaty
foods, such as whitebait, mussel and prawn.

Sexing:Very difficult. In mature fish, males may be slimmer and
possess a larger mouth and discernable buccal cavity (to
incubate eggs).

Breeding:A mouthbrooder, the eggs are carried in the mouth of the
male. Has been bred commercially.




Comments: Silver, gold, red, green and a number of other forms of
this fish exist. The red form is particularly prized, as are
"crossback" varieties. Many additional colour varieties
have now been produced, and often attract a high price.
This species is endangered in the wild, and is listed under
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species) Appendix I, meaning that international trade is
tightly restricted. Captive-bred specimens are available
to the aquarium trade and must be microchipped and
sold with an accompanying certificate verifying their
captive-bred origins.

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