Asian Arowana Breeding Guide

Scleropages formosus is a CITES Appendix I paternal mouthbrooder; it is bred only on registered farms, and home breeding is impractical.

Overview

The Asian arowana is a CITES-listed fish of Southeast Asian blackwater rivers and wetlands that grows up to 90 cm total length. Wikipedia notes it has been listed on CITES Appendix I, the most restrictive category, since 1975, and is one of only a small number of fish species with this designation; the IUCN assessed it as endangered in 2019. From 1989 CITES has permitted trade in captive-bred specimens, and over 150 CITES-registered farms operate in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

According to Wikipedia the Asian arowana reaches sexual maturity relatively late, after 3-4 years. Females produce few but quite large eggs, on the order of 30-100, reflecting a low-fecundity strategy paired with intensive parental care.

Egg & Fry Care

The species exhibits paternal mouthbrooding: both the fertilised eggs and the larvae are brooded within the male's mouth. This produces a small number of large, well-protected young from each spawn.