Above: In the picture, is a nice premium quality Silver Arowana, swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

Notice the light blue sheen in the picture of this fish.

Comments: These are fabulous looking fish, with unique characteristics.

Origin: Arowanas are found in the Amazon and are wild fish. But now you can find many living in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, Arowanas can grow to be more than 36" long, and sometimes larger if fed properly and if the water quality is good.

Behaviors: Arowanas are usually semi-aggressive fish. The main thing is they'll eat just about any other fish that will fit into their big mouths.

In the Amazon Rainforest they leap up to 15-feet up out of the water to eat bugs and other items from trees, making this a very exciting fish.

Compatibility: Some recommended tankmates include, Knifefish, Plecos, Catfish, and Bichirs.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: Arowanas live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is best to feed to Arowanas. Smaller sized pellets when young, and larger sized pellets when bigger, is the ideal food for these fish.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: They are used to the soft water of the amazon, but these fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: Arowanas will do fine in an aquarium with at least 60-gallons of water when young, but will need to be moved to at least 250-gallons when adult size.

These fish like lengthy tanks to swim back and forth.

Decor: Arowanas do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but Arowanas need space to swim so too many decorations are not necessary.

They will need a tightly-fitted lid, because they are jumpers, and will jump out of a tank that is not sealed tight.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended. Most 60-gallon aquariums have room along the back for two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of a minimal Arowana set up.

Better is a 120, 150, 200-gallon aquarium, and ultimately an aquarium with 250-gallons or more.

Put as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back. Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Arowanas can live for many years. Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they may live more than 20-years.

Gender: These fish are difficult to determine gender.

Breeding: It's been known to be very difficult to breed these fish in captivity, but they are known to be mouthbrooders and are more likely to breed in large ponds.

The male carries the eggs in his mouth, until the fry are ready to leave and fend for themselves.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: These fish are somewhat popular in the hobby.

Names: The scientific name for Silver Arowana is Osteoglossum bicirrhosum.

Variations: There are some variations of these fish. In particular there is also a so-called Blue Arowana in the Amazon.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Wild Fish, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.