Golden Arowana Care and Husbandry
📝 Summary
Golden arowanas need a large tank or pond (120 cm+), soft slightly acidic water, steady 24–26°C, strong filtration and aeration, and daily light for color. Stable, clean conditions and early symptom spotting prevent most disease.
1 Tank or Pond Setup
Golden arowanas are large, so give them room—a pond or an aquarium longer than 120 cm. In a pond, pick a sunny, well-drained spot, skim sludge and fallen leaves regularly, and refresh water in extreme heat or cold.
In an aquarium, add UV sterilization to curb disease, an air pump to boost oxygen and clear excess CO₂, and a lid so a startled arowana cannot jump out.
2 Water Quality, Temperature and Oxygen
Arowanas like soft, slightly acidic water. Tap water from rivers is often suitable, but chlorine and fluoride in treated tap water are harmful—even fatal—so store it 1–2 days or sun it a day to dissipate, or add a little sodium thiosulfate. Soften hard water by boiling or blending in a little distilled water.
Keep temperature at 24–26°C (28–30°C for silver and black arowanas) and never let a water change exceed a 2°C difference, or the fish may go into shock. Maintain oxygen with plants plus an aerator, and clear waste promptly so it does not consume dissolved oxygen.
3 Lighting and Disease Prevention
Growth and color need light—about 3–4 hours of sun, or 5–7 hours of full-spectrum lamps daily. Most illness comes from poor management: dirty or swinging water, bad feeding, weather swings, or infection.
Keep water clean and stable, feed sensibly, and act fast at the first sign of trouble. Watch for dull coloration, lethargic swimming, or drooping eyes—take these symptoms seriously and treat early.
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