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How to look after
Scleropages formosus
Golden Arowana
(Müller & Schlegel, 1844)

Scleropages formosus - Golden Arowana - A red-tailed golden Arowana
A red-tailed golden Arowana
more images here

(Other members of the genus Scleropages)

ADULT SIZE: 50 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-26 C

FOOD: Feed Scleropages formosus predominantly live foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines

AQUARIUM CARE: The Asian Arowana is a very large fish, reaching almost a meter in length, and therefore unsuitable for all but the largest of home aquaria. It is however a beautiful fish, and fetches very high prices when sold. It is highly prized in Asia, where it occurs over a vast range - usually prefering slow-moving blackwater streams. A highly predatory fish; in captivity only keep with large tankmates.

BREEDING: This species is a paternal mouth-brooder; the male fish looks after the eggs, and upon hatching, the fry, for up to two months.

Have you bred Scleropages formosus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Scleropages formosus breeding reports

Similar species to Scleropages formosus

Other members of the genus Scleropages

Other oddball species

Other species from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines

Scleropages formosus
Golden Arowana

A red-tailed golden Arowana

A red-tailed golden Arowana

The arrowana is a large powerful fish with heavy scales as seen here

The arrowana is a large powerful fish with heavy scales as seen here

Scleropages formosus
Golden Arowana
breeding notes

BREEDING: This species is a paternal mouth-brooder; the male fish looks after the eggs, and upon hatching, the fry, for up to two months.

Have you bred Scleropages formosus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute - whatever your experience!

1 breeder has filled in a breeding report, a summary of which is shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here.

To add details of your experiences of Scleropages formosus, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Would Scleropages formosus be a good addition to a community tank?
graph1
  1. Never
  2. Doubtful, only with VERY calm fish
  3. Only with species of similar size
  4. Yes, a good community fish
How would you describe the disposition of Scleropages formosus?
graph2
  1. Very timid
  2. Slightly timid
  3. Neutral
  4. Somewhat aggresive on occasions
  5. Very aggressive

In which water conditions do you keep these fish?
graph3
  1. Very soft and acidic
  2. Moderately soft and acidic
  3. Neutral
  4. Moderately hard and alkaline
  5. Very hard and alkaline
At what average temperature?
graph4
  1. 10-15°C
  2. 16-19°C
  3. 20-23°C
  4. 24-27°C
  5. 28°C+


Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences

Water conditions: Neutral Water temperature: 16-19oC
Disposition: Slightly timid Community tank?: Never
Spawning Method: Breeding problems: none
Sex ratio: Breeding difficulty:
Sucess: Years Experience: 1
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 29th February 2008Breeding date: 2008
Breeder: Location:

Fishkeeping Facts and Tips

When stocking an aquarium, always chose species that tolerate the same water conditions: temperature, pH, hardness and salinity. Read more about water conditions in the aquarium here


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