A Complete Guide on how to Keep Arowanas
The Arowana, often referred to as the “Living Dragon,” is a centerpiece fish that commands attention. Many hobbyists dream of owning one, yet they often hesitate due to the fish’s reputation. Are Arowanas difficult to keep? The answer is not a simple yes or no. Instead, success depends on your willingness to provide massive space, specialized filtration, and a disciplined maintenance routine. While they are resilient in terms of disease, their sheer size and predatory nature present unique challenges.
Understanding the Spatial Demands of a Giant
The primary reason people find Arowanas difficult to keep is their growth rate. A Silver Arowana can easily reach three feet in length. Consequently, a standard 55-gallon or even a 100-gallon tank is merely a temporary nursery. To keep an adult Arowana healthy, you eventually need a tank of 250 to 300 gallons. Providing this much water requires significant floor space and a reinforced foundation in your home.
Furthermore, these fish are surface-dwelling jumpers. In the wild, they leap from the water to catch insects and birds. In a home aquarium, a startled Arowana can hit the lid with enough force to shatter glass or leap onto the floor. Therefore, keeping them requires a heavy, weighted, or locking canopy. If you cannot secure the perimeter of the tank, the difficulty level spikes significantly due to the risk of losing your investment overnight.
Mastering Water Chemistry and Filtration
Arowanas are messy eaters and produce a substantial bioload. Because they require high-protein diets, the nitrogen cycle in your tank must be incredibly robust. Maintaining pristine water quality is the most demanding aspect of their care. High levels of ammonia or nitrate can lead to permanent physical defects like “gill curl” or cloudy eyes.
To manage this, most successful keepers use a combination of canister filters and large sump systems. Weekly water changes of 25% to 50% are mandatory, not optional. If you enjoy the mechanical side of the hobby—much like maintaining the fine components of a high-end revolver—you might find this routine rewarding. However, for a casual hobbyist, the constant vigilance required to keep the water crystal clear can be overwhelming.
Dietary Requirements and Specialized Feeding
Feeding an Arowana involves more than just dropping in a few flakes. These are apex predators that thrive on a varied diet of insects, shrimp, small fish, and high-quality pellets. While it is exciting to watch them hunt, feeding live feeder fish is often discouraged. Live prey can carry parasites or diseases that might infect your prized “Dragon.”
Instead, you must train them to accept frozen or prepared foods. This transition can sometimes be frustrating, as some individuals are “finicky” eaters. However, once they are stabilized on a high-quality diet, their colors will begin to pop. A well-fed Arowana displays a metallic sheen that is truly unmatched in the aquatic world. Consistent nutrition is the key to preventing “Drop Eye,” a condition where the fish’s eyes point downward, often caused by fatty deposits or staring at the bottom for food.
Personality and Tank Mates
Are Arowanas aggressive? Generally, they are peaceful toward fish they cannot swallow. However, they are highly territorial toward other surface-dwellers or other Arowanas. Choosing the right tank mates is a delicate balancing act. You need large, bottom-dwelling fish like Stingrays, Datnoids, or large Bichirs to fill the lower levels of the tank without competing for space at the top.
Managing these community dynamics adds website another layer of complexity. If the tank is too crowded, stress levels rise, leading to a suppressed immune system. On the other hand, a solitary Arowana in a massive tank might become shy or skittish. Striking the right balance requires an observant eye and a deep understanding of fish behavior.
The Verdict on Difficulty
In conclusion, Arowanas are not necessarily “fragile,” but they are demanding. They are difficult to keep only if you lack the resources to house them properly. If you provide a massive environment, powerful filtration, and a secure lid, they are actually quite hardy and can live for over 20 years. They are an investment in time and equipment, rewarding the dedicated keeper with a prehistoric elegance that no other fish can provide.