Common Reasons an Arowana Stops Eating

1 Common Reasons an Arowana Stops Eating

1. Refusal from sensitivity to a new environment. This is common in newly bought or sick fish. Arowana are sensitive and wary of new things, including people. A new fish facing a new tank and keeper may be nervous and stop eating; the same happens after surgery for illness.

Response: Keep the water stable, cover the tank, add a small night light above and turn off other lights to make a safe space. The fish will start eating on its own once it adapts. Spend time near the tank so it gets used to your presence.

Before adding the fish, pre-condition the water, keep the temperature right, and fast it for two days to avoid refusal. Also set the water level appropriately—a small fish should not be in very deep or very wide water.

2. Refusal from poor water quality. Old water with many harmful substances kills appetite, and the fish may nibble food then spit it out, or lie on the bottom. Left unchecked, this threatens the fish’s health and life.

Response: Stop feeding for a few days, fix the water, remove excess bacteria, change water and clean the filter pad and media to keep the water clean and stable.

3. Refusal from a monotonous diet and picky or total fasting. Feeding only one food bores the fish and can cause uneven nutrition, malnutrition, or odd body shape.

Response: Fast the fish 5–6 days while improving the water to its best state and adding some vitamins. Then vary the food and feed on a fixed schedule. After it starts eating, keep food varied with a rhythm of occasional fasting.

4. Poor appetite from a cold. This often happens with big weather or temperature swings. A cold fish may lie on the bottom and eat little.

Response: Add a little penicillin and sea salt to the water, adjust the temperature and keep it stable, then resume feeding after a two-day fast.

5. Poor appetite from internal parasites. Long-term feeding of insects, small fish, or frogs can infect the fish. Symptoms resemble enteritis: restlessness, occasional bottom-lying, reduced intake at first, then refusal.

Response: Easy to treat early. Fast the fish, confirm the cause, then treat accordingly—raise temperature, medicate, add oxygen—and resume feeding once cured.

6. Refusal from enteritis. Usually caused by bad water or unclean food. Signs include restlessness, bottom-lying, prolapse, and refusal to eat.

Response: Improve the water and fast 2–3 days. If no improvement, use a little penicillin or a common arowana gut medication. After recovery, feed soft foods such as shelled, tail-removed shrimp meat.

Note: When an arowana stops eating, the key is to find the real cause and treat it. Poor water and environment are the most common triggers, so pay close attention to both.