Beginners’ Guide on Arowana
Hopefully you’ve better understanding on arowana after reading my earlier post on Getting to Know More About Arowana. Today, we’re going to take a closer look on this magnificent fish.
The arowana seems to be the favorite fish of the season, as more and more aquariums retailing this species are popping up all over.
With its regal bearing and powerful demeanor, it’s easy to see why many have fallen for the arowana. Also known as the dragon fish, the arowana is an auspicious fish and popularly believed to bring good luck and business success to its owner, as well as ward of evil.
If you have forked out a rather princely sum for these fish, learn more about their behavior to ensure their long-term well-being and good health.
Keeping your Arowana Happy
Arowanas normally grow up to approximately 90 cm long. The minimum length of the aquarium should thus be at least 150cm. It should also be sufficiently wide for the fish to turn around easily.
Maintaining good water quality is important, so a powerful filter is essential. Reasonably strong water currents and good aeration are welcome to these fish, but the amount of water movement must not be too great.
Keeping your Arowana Safe
Arowanas may look majestic and aggressive, but they are actually quite timid. Sudden movements in the tank, even slight ones, can provoke violent reactions from them.
Blackwater extract can help calm arowana down. But in the long run, it’s advisable to relocate the tank to a place where human traffic and activity are minimal, to ensure the fish doesn’t get frequent nasty surprises.
These fish are active and good jumpers. In the wild, they can leap up to two meters in the air to catch terrestrial insects. As jumping out of tanks is the most common cause of arowana fatalities, you should always keep the tank properly covered.
Feeding your Arowana
Don’t worry if you observe that the fish is not eating as it is common for arowanas to practice cyclical fasting. There are a few reasons why arowanas fast for periods of time before recovering their appetites again.
Arowanas fast if they undergo stress, like adapting to a new environment or coping with poor water quality. Sudden fright can also send them into a fast for a few days or weeks!
Another reason is that they may have filled their stomachs to the brim. As their digestion is slow, they will not need any more food, so they fast. This can occur after a period of heavy feeding by over-zealous owners.
Arowanas are mouth-brooding fish. This means that they carry their eggs and fry in the mouth, usually for up to two mouths. During this period, they do not eat. Thus, periodic fasting can be a sign of mouth-brooding to come.
Your arowana will eventually get hungry and start feeding again. If the fish doesn’t show signs of stress or disease, and is still behaving normally, it is all right to leave it to its business of periodic fasting.
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Oct 22nd 2008
8:50 AM
Dear Aquarium Fish Wonder:
I found your article on cyclical fasting for arowanas very fascinating. I have a banja red arowana around 1ft long. Prior to me purchasing it, the petshop I bought it from had it for 1 month and the banja has been very voracious eating Super Worms (averaging 20 a day). When I bought it 2 weeks ago, It was eating normally for the 1st week, then I noticed on the 8th and 9th day, the banja started eating less and less until the 10th day, it has all together stopped eating super worms. I’ve placed a heater (still on going at 29 degrees C), change water when its companion (albino oscar) eats the super worms the banja does not eat, even too out the oscar 4 days ago. I even placed 2 feeder goldfish in the tank 2 days ago and they are still there up to now. It has been 10 days since the banja ate it’s last food, though its swimming normally (in fact it swims up and down the tank lively) and it looks fine. Is this signs of a cyclical fasting or should I try something new because since the time I got the banja I change the water (20%) every 2 days. I stopped changing water only 4 days ago since it was not eating and not leaving any dirt. I would greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you
Jun 20th 2010
7:46 PM
very nice info about the fish
i got a BlackArowana recently, the owner of the petshop said its tame and doesnt eat other fish, i think its pretty much young as its about 6-inch, my question is that im a bit worried for the other fish, will it harm, bit, or eat them
im not sure about their names but they are a variety of different types of small cleaning fish.
iv got also small red Gurami fish .. (it avoids them but will it one day attack them)
please let me know
thanks
Jun 26th 2010
6:16 AM
Hi.. I was so worried about my arowana(50cm lenth) because it is not eating by nearly 5days.now I unndrestanding it started its cyclical fasting..and the reasone i bilive either high temperature(I am from UAE(DUBAI)or delayed water change.thank you very much for ur worthfull information.
Aug 1st 2010
4:58 AM
Dear Sir ,
My arowana fish is not taking food(live gold fish) , I understand it is unable to see or lost its vision , how to take care , plz let me know ,
Regards
LAKSHMANAN