Arowana Fish Care Guide: Tank Setup, Feeding, and Tips for Healthy Pets

 

Arowana Fish as Pets: Complete Care Guide, Tank Setup, and Feeding Tips

Keeping an Arowana as a pet is like having a living jewel swimming gracefully in your aquarium. With their shiny metallic scales, dragon-like body, and majestic swimming style, Arowanas are often considered a symbol of good luck, power, and prosperity in many cultures. However, these stunning fish are not beginner-friendly. They demand special care, proper tank setup, and a dedicated owner who can meet their unique needs.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about keeping an Arowana as a pet—from tank requirements and diet to health, compatibility, and breeding.

---

🐉 Why Choose an Arowana as a Pet?

• Majestic Beauty: Their elongated body and reflective scales make them one of the most beautiful freshwater fish.

• Symbol of Prosperity: In Chinese Feng Shui, Arowanas are believed to bring wealth and positive energy.

• Intelligent Pets: Arowanas can recognize their owners and even learn to jump for food.

But remember: they are not for everyone. Arowanas need space, commitment, and the right environment to thrive.

---

🏠 Tank Setup for Arowanas

✅ Tank Size

• Arowanas are large fish that can grow up to 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) depending on the species.

• Minimum tank size: 250–300 gallons (long and wide rather than tall).

✅ Water Conditions

• Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)

• pH Level: 6.0–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

• Filtration: Strong filter system is essential, as Arowanas produce a lot of waste.

✅ Tank Decoration

• Keep decorations minimal. Arowanas are powerful swimmers and can injure themselves.

• Use a tight-fitting lid, as Arowanas are known jumpers and may leap out of the tank.

---

🍤 Feeding Arowanas

Arowanas are carnivorous predators with a big appetite. In the wild, they eat insects, smaller fish, and even birds that get too close to the water.

✅ Diet in Captivity

• Live foods: Crickets, mealworms, small fish (only occasionally).

• Frozen foods: Shrimp, bloodworms, and fish fillets.

• Pellets: Special high-protein Arowana pellets (balanced and easy to manage).

👉 Tip: Avoid feeding only live fish, as this can spread disease. Mix the diet for balanced nutrition.

---

👩‍⚕️ Common Health Issues

1. Drop Eye – One or both eyes pointing downward (often from fatty diet or injury).

2. Gill Curl – Curling of gill covers due to poor water quality.

3. Parasites & Bacterial Infections – Caused by unclean water or contaminated food.

✅ Prevention: Maintain good water quality, avoid overfeeding, and provide a stress-free environment.

---

🐟 Tank Mates for Arowanas

Arowanas are territorial and predatory, so tank mates must be chosen carefully.

Compatible tank mates:

• Large catfish (e.g., Redtail catfish, Plecos)

• Silver Dollar fish

• Oscar fish

• Stingrays

Avoid: Small fish (they’ll be eaten), aggressive rivals, or fin-nippers.

---

🐣 Breeding Arowanas

• Arowanas are mouthbrooders—the male carries fertilized eggs in his mouth until they hatch.

• Breeding in captivity is rare and requires very large tanks and a bonded pair.

• Most pet owners purchase young Arowanas from professional breeders.

---

❤️ Final Thoughts

Owning an Arowana is both rewarding and challenging. These fish are majestic, intelligent, and captivating, but they demand commitment, space, and proper care. If you can meet their needs, an Arowana can live up to 15–20 years, becoming not just a pet but a long-term companion.

For many, the Arowana is more than just an aquarium fish—it’s a symbol of beauty, prosperity, and elegance swimming right in your living room.

________________________________________________________________________________

arowana fish care, arowana fish tank setup, arowana feeding guide, how to care for arowana, silver arowana care, asian arowana pet guide, arowana fish diet, arowana aquarium setup, arowana tank mates, arowana fish health, arowana fish for beginners, freshwater arowana care