All fish / Osteoglossidae

Asian arowana

Scleropages formosus

Also known as arowana, dragon fish, super red, golden arowana, red tail golden, aro, asian aro, asian arowana, rtg, xb, cross back, crossback

A large, prized surface predator. Colour forms (super red, cross-back golden, red-tail golden) sell for hundreds to many thousands.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

90 cm

Temperature

26 to 30 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

1000 litres

Keep as

Alone

Diet

Carnivore: insects, prawn, pellets

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

20 years or more

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam

Breeding

Mouthbrooder: the male holds eggs and fry for about two months. Bred on licensed farms.

Good to know

CITES Appendix I. Legal trade needs farm-bred fish with a certificate and microchip, and it is banned outright in some countries, such as the US. Check local law before buying or selling.