Black Arowana (Osteoglossum ferreirai) Care Guide
Osteoglossum ferreirai is a large blackwater arowana from the Rio Negro basin, a surface-dwelling predator and paternal mouthbrooder.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Osteoglossum ferreirai, the Black Arowana, is a large surface-dwelling predator of South American blackwater. It typically reaches about 0.9 m, with reports up to 1.2 m. Juveniles are black with yellow markings; these fade around 15 cm, and adults develop a dark iridescent steel-grey to blue colour with yellow and red fin outlining.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osteoglossidae
- Genus: Osteoglossum
- Scientific name: Osteoglossum ferreirai
Habitat
It is native to the Rio Negro basin, including the Branco River, in blackwater ecosystems. In the dry season it occupies backwaters, marginal lagoons and small tributaries, moving into flooded forests during high water. Populations in the Orinoco basin are of disputed origin.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 2000 L (about 528 gal)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-6.5
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Note: a strong, secure cover is essential as the species jumps
- Lifespan: 10-18 years
Diet
A surface predator with a specialised upturned mouth, it feeds on shrimps, insects, smaller fishes and other animals floating at the surface, and has been documented taking small bats and monkeys. It can leap from the water to capture prey, earning it the nickname water monkey.
Compatibility
A top-dwelling, semi-aggressive fish that may share space with large peaceful tankmates in very large systems. Smaller fish that fit in its mouth should be avoided.
Breeding
Females spawn during the high-water season. Males provide paternal care, mouthbrooding up to about 210 eggs until the juveniles reach roughly 7 cm before release.
Black Arowana Breeding Guide
Overview
The black arowana is a sedentary, non-migratory fish of blackwater habitats restricted to the Rio Negro basin, including the Branco River. According to Wikipedia its maximum total length is typically considered about 0.9 m, with reports up to 1.2 m. During the dry season it inhabits backwaters, marginal lagoons and small tributaries, moving into flooded forest during high water, when spawning occurs.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Females spawn during the high-water season in the native range. Wikipedia reports that up to 210 eggs are produced. Spawning is tied to the seasonal flooding of the Rio Negro, a trigger that is difficult to reproduce in captivity.
Egg & Fry Care
The black arowana is a paternal mouthbrooder: the up to 210 eggs are mouthbrooded by the male, and the young are only fully released when about 7 cm long. This extended paternal care produces a small number of large, well-developed juveniles.