Red Arowana

1 Species Overview

The red arowana’s close relatives include the chili red arowana and the orange-red arowana; it is itself a variety of arowana. The red arowana develops its color in three distinct phases, and because of this three-stage coloration many hobbyists are fooled when buying. But once the three phases are complete the color is very special, and the fish is much loved by aquarists.

English name: Scleropages formosus

Type: arowana (dragon fish), tropical freshwater fish

Origin: areas north of Lake Sentarum

Reproduction: oviparous (egg-laying)

Hardness: 3–12 dGH; pH: 6.5–7.5

Difficulty: easy

Suitable temperature: 24–28 °C

2 Appearance

The red arowana’s body shape is generally a rounded, blunt ‘cannonball’ form, which differs from other arowana varieties. Because the red arowana hunts mainly by speed, its body needs to be streamlined.

In terms of scale coloration, the red arowana’s main color develops in three phases, with the dominant color eventually covering each whole scale. Coloration usually starts yellow-orange: young fish are entirely yellowish and are easily confused with the golden red arowana, the difference lying in the scale appearance. Looking closely at a red arowana beginning its first color phase, you’ll see the yellow on its scales is quite thick and covers the whole base color, whereas the golden red arowana does not show this. The red arowana also colors across the whole body, so at first it is unremarkable—almost like keeping a ‘yellow dragon’. When the juvenile grows into a sub-adult, it develops a second color phase: over the thick yellow scale color a layer of orange-red appears. At this stage some mistake it for an orange-red arowana, and this color lasts until about eight or nine years of age. In the final color phase, the orange from the second phase turns entirely deep red, completing the full coloration.

3 Tank & Habitat

Keeping a red arowana, the environment and water quality are very important. Because its coloration is special, maintaining it requires a suitable living environment. In addition, since the red arowana is easily startled, corresponding protective measures should be taken.

Full-spectrum lighting provides a full range of wavelengths and benefits the red arowana’s health. You can also use lamp tubes made specifically for red arowanas—for example, Arcadia produces a tube for them under which the fish’s body gives off a faint red glow, which is very beautiful. Such tubes also supply the complete spectrum the red arowana needs for growth.

The red arowana grows large, so the aquarium should be longer than 120 cm. Install UV sterilization to prevent disease. The tank must have an air pump, which not only raises dissolved oxygen but also drives off excess carbon dioxide. To stop the easily-startled fish from jumping out, the tank must be covered. Change at least a quarter to a third of the water every three days. If the fish loses fins it may be from changing too much water at once; simply pause water changes and it will gradually recover.

4 Feeding

The red arowana hunts mainly by speed, so its body is streamlined—generally a rounded, blunt cannonball shape. In captivity it needs a nutritionally balanced diet; it feeds mainly on small fish, shrimp and other aquatic animals.

Because the red arowana is carnivorous, from fry to adult it must be fed animal-based foods, with live small fish being ideal. Note that animal organs can upset the digestive system and should not be fed. Prepared complete feeds are usually floating shrimp pellets. Feed 2–3 times daily, offering only as much as it can finish within 20 minutes.