Australian Arowana (Scleropages jardinii) Care Guide
Scleropages jardinii is a large bonytongue from northern Australia and New Guinea, growing near 90 cm and requiring a very large dedicated tank.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Scleropages jardinii is a bonytongue fish of the family Osteoglossidae, native to northern Australia and central-southern New Guinea. It is also known as the gulf saratoga, northern saratoga or pearl arowana. The body is elongated and carries large scales arranged in rows, each marked with reddish or pinkish crescent spots that give a pearly appearance. It is a surface-oriented predator and one of the largest freshwater fish kept in private aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osteoglossidae
- Genus: Scleropages
- Scientific name: Scleropages jardinii
- Describer: Saville-Kent, 1892
Habitat
The species occurs across the Gulf of Carpentaria drainage system, west to the Adelaide River in the Northern Territory, northern Queensland and central-southern New Guinea. It inhabits still, clear waters of pools and billabongs, as well as the slow-flowing sections of streams, where it swims near the surface.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 2000 L (528 gal)
- Temperature: 24-30 °C (75-86 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Adult size: 60-90 cm (24-35 in)
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
- A tightly secured lid is essential, as the species jumps
Diet
Scleropages jardinii is a carnivore and opportunistic surface feeder. In the wild it takes terrestrial and aquatic insects, small fishes, frogs, crustaceans and some plant material. In captivity it accepts large meaty foods; the FishBase trophic level is estimated at 2.8.
Compatibility
This is an aggressive, territorial top-swimmer. It is generally kept alone or only with large, robust tankmates that cannot be swallowed, and small fish should be avoided as they are treated as prey.
Breeding
The species is a mouthbrooder. Unlike the Asian arowana, in which the male broods, evidence suggests that in S. jardinii the female carries the developing young in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 14 February 2019). The species also supports commercial aquaculture and the aquarium trade.
Australian Arowana Breeding Guide
Overview
The Australian arowana, or northern saratoga, occurs across the Gulf of Carpentaria drainage, west to the Adelaide River, throughout northern Queensland and in central-southern New Guinea. FishBase records a maximum standard length of up to 100 cm and Wikipedia notes maximum weights of about 17 kg. It inhabits still, clear pools and billabongs and slow-flowing stream sections, where adults are solitary and territorial near the surface.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Unlike the Asian arowana, this species is a maternal mouthbrooder: Wikipedia and FishBase state that the female, rather than the male, broods the young in her mouth. (The task brief's note of paternal brooding is corrected here in line with both sources.) Spawning is tied to the species' tropical still-water habitats.
Egg & Fry Care
According to FishBase the eggs hatch in 1-2 weeks, and the larvae, with their enlarged yolk sac, are kept in or close to the female's mouth for a further 4-5 weeks. The young begin feeding on microcrustaceans at 2-3 cm and become independent at about 3.5-4.0 cm.