Arowana Care Guide: Suitable Water Temperature, Food, and Tank Selection

Arowanas have thick and shiny scales, elegant swimming posture, rapid growth, are not afraid of people, have strong interactivity, and high ornamental value. They are one of the enduring high-end ornamental fish varieties in the aquarium market.

What is the Suitable Water Temperature for Arowanas?

Arowanas can survive in water temperatures ranging from 24 to 31 degrees Celsius, with the optimal growth temperature being between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius.

What Food Do Arowanas Like to Eat?

Arowanas are carnivorous fish and prefer to eat small fish, shrimp, loaches, frogs, mealworms, greater wax moth larvae, cockroaches, crickets, and grasshoppers. They can be fed two to three times a day. When feeding, avoid being too monotonous to ensure a balanced diet. Try to feed them small amounts frequently, and stop feeding when their bellies are slightly swollen. Any uneaten food should be removed as soon as possible to prevent water pollution.

What Are the Water Quality Requirements for Arowanas?

The suitable water quality for arowanas should have a pH value controlled between 5.8 and 7.5, with a preference for weakly acidic soft water.

What Size Tank is Needed for Raising Arowanas?

The body length of adult arowanas is generally around 50 to 60 centimeters, and they grow rapidly with strong feeding ability. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a tank with a length of at least 1.5 meters and a width of at least 60 centimeters, the larger the better. This provides enough swimming space for the fish and avoids the need to frequently change tanks as they grow. In addition, the tank should be equipped with a powerful filtration and circulation system to ensure good water quality, thus allowing the fish to grow healthily.

Try to choose a larger tank and maintain a low fish density. It is recommended to change the water every three to five days based on the feeding amount, ensuring that the newly added water is consistent with the temperature inside the tank. If you are unsure about the water temperature, you can use a thermometer for measurement. When using tap water, it should be exposed to sunlight for three days in advance to remove chlorine. The amount of water changed each time should not exceed one-third of the total water volume in the tank, and it is important not to change all the water at once.

What Are the Precautions for Raising Arowanas?

Arowanas have strong aggressiveness and should not be kept with smaller fish, as the smaller fish are easily preyed upon. In addition, arowanas are prone to jumping out of the tank when startled, so a tank cover is necessary for raising arowanas, and it is best to add weight to prevent them from pushing open the cover and jumping out. When feeding live bait, it is recommended to soak it in potassium permanganate to prevent bacterial infections. Providing four to six hours of light per day helps with the fish’s coloration.

After the fish arrives at home, remember to perform “temperature and water acclimation” and “disinfection and inspection.”

The above is the experience and methods for caring for arowanas for your reference. If you have different opinions from the experiences and methods I have shared, please feel free to discuss in the comments section.