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What is an Arrowanna?
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Arrowana, is a very majestic looking fish. It can grow up to 47 inches and depending on the species, up to 117
inches. Though large, it is a graceful swimmer. Some of them are classified as protected species, especially the Red Arrowana.
The Red Arrowana and Golden Arrowana are very difficult to be found in western countries, and if they are available, it is
usually at a very high price.
So why are they so expensive? Well, firstly, some of the species are endangered species, and thus very difficult to acquire. In
fact, trade of certain Arrowanas are not allowed, unless they are bred in captivity. Secondly, it is the myth attached. The
Chinese believe that Arrowanas are supposed to bring fortune and prosperity to the owners. Last but not least is of course,
the beauty of the fish itself! But personally, I think that it all boils down to demand and supply.
So what do they eat? They feed on frogs, fishes, insects especially crickets, lizards, prawns etc. They prefer live food and
seldom eat prepared food. They are good leapers and often jump above the water surface to catch their prey. They spend
most of their time cruising the surface of calm weedy rivers.
They are territorial fishes, and I wouldn't advice keeping more than one in a tank. The tank should at least be 4 feet long. It
should be sparsely decorated without any hard objects such as driftwood. They have the habit of leaping and thus a good
quality cover is a must. In the confines of an aquarium, be careful that they not frighten by any sudden movement in the vicinity
of the aquarium. Be sure that there is efficient filtration as they are susceptible to any deterioration in water conditions.
Arrowanas are affectionate fishes. They can be trained to take food from the owner's hands, and sometimes even allow them
to stroke their graceful body. Their life span is around 20 years, depending on which species.
Arrowanas are mouthbrooders, but in captivity, such an activity is almost impossible.
My advice to you when considering whether to buy an Arrowana, is to consider the cost of maintaining the fish. Feeding the
fish is an expensive affair as most of them will only take live food, and I can tell you that their appetite are huge.
courtesy of Desmond
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Diseases of the Arrowanna
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Bulging Eye Condition
This is a common condition among Silver, Black, and Asian Arowanas, in which the upper part of the eyeball protrudes. The eyes of the afflicted specimen will continuously look down, but the arowana is tough and will continue to eat heartily. There are a few possible causes for this symptom, the worst being an infection from an injury near the eye. If this is not treated in time, it will worsen until the eyeball falls out. However, most bulging eyeballs have no observable cause, and the arowana can swim and live healthily with entirely uneven eyes. Sometimes the protrusion is caused by a fatty deposit, but this is hard to treat and should just be left alone. There is a specimen in the Toribane Aquarium with a bulging eye, but no other fish in the reserve tank has the same condition and the cause is still unknown.
Gill Curling
When the covering of the fish's gills curls back to expose them, this may be caused by either a high concentration of nitrates or a lack of swimming space. In any case, this is a danger signal that must be heeded. The specimen is not in immediate danger of dying, but treatment should not be put off. Change the water frequently, create a more relaxed environment for it, and give it high-quality food. In short, take especially good care of it, and it should recover.
Spinal Curvature
This is most commonly seen in Silver and Black Arowanas. The causes are most often malnutrition when the fish is young and injury, but since the problem usually starts when the specimen is young, they need to be carefully checked for it before a purchase is made. As was mentioned earlier, the two Australian species are not as flexible as other arowanas and have to be kept in a relatively larger tank, or they may develop this condition. Once it develops, it is difficult to treat and a full recovery is virtually impossible. But if a decent environment is provided, this will rarely lead to the fish's death.
Other Conditions
Most other disease conditions and parasitic infestations are caused by infiltration of the tank by pests from outside, so care should be taken to check the condition of the food fishes and plants and apply disinfectants to them when necessary. The arowana is sensitive to fish medicines, so an ounce of prevention is worth many pounds of cure. Use any medicine sparingly and in conjunction with stepped-up regular care (water changes, etc). Even if the nitrite concentration is low, if the arowana lives a long time in high concentrations of nitrates it will become prone to curling of the gill cover and eye infections. Water purity must be maintained by using a large filter box and frequently changing some of the water.
Finally, a leading cause of death is the fish leaping out of the tank, so a lid must be kept in place at all times.
from "jurassic fish" by T.F.H
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