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Others
/ Osteoglossidae / Asian Arowana
Asian Arowana, Green Arowana
Scleropages formosus | Pictures
Synonyms: Osteoglossum
formosum
Physical description: The body form is similar to that of
Osteoglossum except that
Scleropages
has a stockier body, larger scales, shorter barbels, and shorter anal and dorsal fins.
The
caudal penuncle is very thin when compared with the rest of the body.
The caudal fin is fan-shaped.
The
back is olive while the flanks are greenish gray to olive-silver.
A greenish iridescence may be present.
The
fins are greenish brown.
The iris of the eye is red.
Size/Length: To 36" (90 cm)
Similar species: Silver Arowana (
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum), Silver Barramundi (
Scleropages jardini
)
S: top
Habitat: This species inhabits still streams and creeks in Southeast Asia and Australia; Borneo,
Malaysia, Sumatra, Thailand.
Aquarium: A tank measuring 48" (122 cm) or 55 gallons (209 L) is minimum for young individuals.
They
will quickly out-grow an aquarium of this size!
Use peat filtration.
Follow suggestions for
O. bicirrhosum.
Water chemistry: pH 6.5-7.5 (7.0); 1-10 dH (5); 77-86°F (25-30°C)
Social behavior: This predatory species is pugnacious towards others of its own species, although relatively
indifferent toward other large fish.
Small fish will likely be consumed.
Suggested companions: Large Tinfoil Barbs, Clown Knife, Giant Gourami, Cichlids, Asian and South American
Catfish (Pimelodids, Loricarids, Auchenipterids, Doradids, Bagrids [
Leiocassis, Mystus])
FOOD: Live; fish, spiders, large flying insects,
Tubifex; may accept pellets and flakes
Sexual differences: It is believed that females are plumper when mature.
Breeding techniques: Similar to S.
jardini, except 30-50 eggs are produced..
Breeding potential: 10.
This species has said to have bred in captivity although details are not available at this
time.
Remarks:
See comments under
O. bicirrhosum.
The Asian Arowana is protected as an
endangered species by the Indonesian government and wild specimen cannot be legally imported.
There are several forms including super-red,
golden, green, and silver.
There is even a rare albino form.
Difficulty of care: 7.
This large, predatory species requires living foods and an enormous tank.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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