Silver Arowana care guide
Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) — minimum tank 2000 L, temperature 24-30 °C, pH 6-7.5.
Overview
The Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is a large bonytongue fish reaching up to 100 cm in body length, with a long, sleek silver body, very large metallic scales and a pair of barbels on the lower jaw. It is renowned for leaping above the water surface to seize prey from overhanging branches.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osteoglossidae
- Genus: Osteoglossum
- Scientific name: Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
- Common synonyms: Dragon Fish, Monkey Fish
Habitat
Native to the Amazon basin of South America, including parts of Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Guyana and Ecuador. The species inhabits slow-moving sections of large rivers and flooded forest (várzea), staying close to the surface in soft, warm and slightly acidic blackwater.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 2000 L (528.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 60-100 cm
- Temperature: 24-30 °C (75-86 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 10-20 years
Diet
A surface-oriented carnivore that takes insects, crustaceans, small fish, birds and other small vertebrates. In aquaria it accepts floating pellets, large frozen shrimp, krill, earthworms and gel diet; the tank must be tightly covered as the fish leaps powerfully.
Compatibility
Predatory and territorial; should be kept singly or in a very large multi-Arowana group only with careful planning. Suitable tank mates are similarly sized robust fish that occupy lower water layers — large plecos, Oscar, freshwater stingrays and bichirs. Anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be eaten.
Breeding
A paternal mouthbrooder. Captive breeding is uncommon and typically reported only from large ponds. The male carries up to about 200 large yolk-bearing eggs and fry in his mouth for several weeks; juveniles emerge already several centimetres long.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: not formally assessed for Osteoglossum bicirrhosum as of the latest IUCN reviews, but populations are pressured by ornamental-trade collection and habitat change in parts of the Amazon. CITES Appendix II for the closely related Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) does not apply to this species.