Red Arowana: Morphology and Color-Enhancement Tips

1 Red Arowana: Form and Color Development

I. Morphological Features of the Red Arowana

Although called the red arowana, juveniles have silver scales with a slight dark green tint; the scale edges are pink and the lips and barbels are slightly red, while the last three fins are an even red. An adult reaches about 60 cm; its body is golden-yellow with gold-red scale edges, and the mouth, fins and gill covers are deep red, giving off an attractive red glow overall. The distinctive red patch on the gill cover is the red arowana’s most prominent feature.

By origin, red arowanas are divided into Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is red and further split into the blood-red and chili-red arowana. The chili-red is the finest of all, with red gill covers and scale edges. Type 2 is mostly orange-red; though it looks like Type 1, a close look shows Type 1 has a large, deep-red patch on the gill cover, which Type 2 lacks.

II. Color Changes in the Red Arowana

1. An adult’s color appears in stages with age; the blood-red shows color earlier, the chili-red later. Color also shifts with the environment, so lighting and the color around the tank help bring out color — use red lights and a dark background to enhance it.

2. Water at 26–30°C suits red pigment deposition, and slightly acidic, stable pH also helps color development.

3. In the tank, add some local source water and dried leaves to stimulate color. Also give blood-red arowanas more astaxanthin and carotene to bring out the red in their scales. But for chili-red juveniles and sub-adults, do not feed plant-based or color-enhancing foods, as this darkens the base color; wait until the green base deepens, then feed astaxanthin and similar foods to induce reddening.

4. When choosing a red arowana, check that the tail, dorsal and pelvic fins are red and the pectorals are pale red; the body should show a pale green or pink sheen with lustrous scales; barbels and lips red or pink — such fish are higher quality.

This concludes our look at the red arowana’s form and color tips; we hope every keeper raises a vividly colored red arowana.