Asian Arowana

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Deep within the sluggish, muddy, heavily forested rivers and massive flooded peat-swamps of Southeast Asia (Borneo, Sumatra, Malaysia). They are highly specialized 'Top-Water' ambush predators. They spend their entire lives cruising inches below the surface of the dark, hot 'blackwater', intensely scanning the overhanging jungle branches above the water for falling frogs, massive insects, and small birds.

Taxonomy and Morphology: A living fossil (Osteoglossidae / 'Bonytongues'). A massive, rigid, torpedo-shaped prehistoric monster capable of reaching nearly a meter (3 feet) in length. The 'Dragon' aesthetic is perfect: The body is covered in gigantic, rigid, geometric scales the size of large coins that lock together like medieval chainmail. The massive, trap-door mouth points straight up toward the sky, and features two long, elegant 'barbels' (whiskers) protruding forward to sense vibrations of struggling bugs on the surface. They have massive, sweeping pectoral fins like airplane wings. They possess teeth not just on their jaws, but literally covering the bones of their tongue and the roof of their mouth.

Social Behavior: The Solitary Surface Patroller. They are incredibly majestic, gliding effortlessly and endlessly back and forth along the absolute top layer of the aquarium. But they are explosive, coiled springs. If startled by a sudden light, or if they spot a fly above the water, their massive muscular bodies will detonate, launching the massive, heavy fish completely vertically up to 6 FEET out of the water. They are violently territorial toward other Arowanas and will fight to the death, but completely ignore fish that swim deep below them near the sand.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The Golden Vault. The commercial Asian Arowana trade is a multi-million dollar luxury industry. The 'Super Red' Arowana develops a breathtaking, glowing, solid blood-red or dark crimson body as it ages. The 'Crossback Golden' shines like a literal block of polished 24K gold, with the gold coloration creeping all the way up and over its thick back. The 'Green' and 'Banjar Red' are the cheaper variants. Every single giant scale has a brilliant colored rim and a dark, contrasting core, creating an unbelievable geometric mesh. Males and females look totally identical.

Aquarium Setup: The Indestructible Bank Vault. Minimum tank size for an adult is 200 cm long (7 feet) and CRITICALLY, AT LEAST 90-100 cm WIDE (3+ feet wide / 250+ gallons). The Arowana has a stiff, rigid spine. If the tank isn't incredibly wide, the massive fish literally cannot physically turn around without destroying its back. THE 'HEAVY LID' MANDATE: The number one cause of death for a $5,000 fish is suicide by jumping. You MUST have a thick, heavy polycarbonate or glass lid, physically locked down with clamps or heavy weights. A 3-foot Arowana can shatter a thin glass lid with its skull. Keep the upper swimming space completely free of tall driftwood.

Diet and Feeding: The Premium Insectivore/Piscivore. They hunt looking UP. Their absolute staple should be massive, floating premium 'Arowana Sticks'. For maximum color and psychological health, feed them massive bugs: gut-loaded giant crickets, Dubia roaches, massive mealworms, and thawed whole prawns (with shell). THE 'FEEDER FISH' HORROR: Never feed them live goldfish or feeder fish. It introduces deadly parasites and the high fat content causes them to develop a massive, fatal fatty liver that will kill them prematurely.

Water Quality: Pristine, Hot, Tropical conditions. They require blistering hot water to fuel their massive metabolism: 28-30°C (82-86°F). Water should be pristine, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0), and heavily filtered. Giant external sump filters are mandatory to handle the massive bio-load of this monster. They are highly sensitive to Nitrates; if water changes are neglected, the stunning edges of their massive scales will begin to rot away, and their 'whiskers' will dissolve, ruining the value of the fish.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: The 'Monster Bottom' rule. ANYTHING that swims in the top or middle of the tank, and can physically fit in its massive mouth, is instantly food. DO NOT keep two Arowanas together in a home aquarium. The absolute best, globally recognized 'Monster Tank' companions are giant, peaceful bottom-dwellers that the Arowana will completely ignore because they live in the 'basement'. The classic combo is housing the Arowana with massive Freshwater Stingrays (like the Motoro), giant Datnoids (Tiger Fish), or massive, heavily armored Plecos.

Aquarium Breeding: The Miracle of the Giant Mouthbrooder. Breeding in a glass aquarium is almost unheard of; it is strictly done in massive outdoor mud ponds in Asian farms. Once a massive male and female pair off, the female drops a small clutch of gigantic, marble-sized orange eggs. The male then scoops ALL the eggs into his massive jaws. He will carry the eggs, and the resulting huge baby Arowanas (which look like 3-inch fish dragging massive orange yolk-sacs on their bellies), completely inside his closed mouth for several weeks, starving himself until the babies are ready to be spit out.

Risks and Diseases: 1. THE 'DROP-EYE' TRAGEDY: The most famous, heartbreaking, and incurable Arowana deformity. One or both of the fish's eyes permanently slips and points downwards, giving the fish a derpy, cross-eyed look that destroys its majestic appearance. It is believed to be caused by high-fat diets causing fat pads behind the eye to slip, or the fish constantly straining to look DOWN through clear glass bottoms to find food instead of looking UP as nature intended. 2. Fatal skull fractures and broken spines caused by the fish launching itself in terror into the heavy glass lid in the middle of the night. 3. Fatal fatty liver disease from idiot owners feeding them raw beef, pork, or cheap live goldfish.