Knowledge Of Arowana

 

 

Types of ArowanaThere are many different varieties of Arowana in the world. Their species has been in existence since well before the Carboniferous Peroid. Because of several changes on the land, Arowanan spread to various places to propagate. As a result, the distribution area is widened and it now incluses most of the rivers of Southeast Asia, the Amazon River of South America, the Nile River of Africa, Australia and New Guinea.

 

       Asian ArowanaAsian Arowana are the most famous and expensive Arowana in the world. There are currently Red, Gold, Green and a mozture of both types of Asian Arowana. All asian Arowana are a protected species because they are nearly extict, except for the Pearl and Silver Arowana.

 

   Red Arowana are by far the most popular among all the Asian Arowana. Its scales and fins are totally red in colour and it very expensive. There are also ruby-red and chilli-red Arowana. The red Arowana is very popular among the Chinese hobbyists and is believed to bring prosperity and wealth to the owner. There are 1st Grade and 11/2 Grade Arowana.   Malaysia Crossback are also among the most expensive Arowanas around and are sought after by many Chinese businessmen. This Arowana is believed to bring good wealth and prosperity to the owner as well because of its beautiful gold colour which looks like gold bars.These golden Cross-back Arowanas are reaching lengths of up to 26 inches. Usually, Arowanas, which kept in ponds, are generally bigger than their counterparts those are kept in aquariums.Frequently, between a red arowana and a golden Cross-back arowana, Red Arowanas are bigger in size. In the wild, red Arowanas have been known to reach the length of over 1 meter!   

Red-Tail Arowana are common Asian Arowana. Their scales gradually become gold as they mature and the fins are red in colour. The red-tail will have red-coloured fins and tail with shiny body scales when matures.

   

Yellow-Tail Arowana scales are ussually milky-white with yellow coloured fins and tails.

 

Green Arowana are considered the lowest grade of the Asian Arowana. Their scales are silvery-white to white colour with slightly green fins. It still has the quality of a fine Arowana.

   Australian ArowanaThis species origanates from Australia, but looks similar to the Asian Arowana. There are two types of Arowana: Pearl and Spotted Arowana. Both have the same appearance except for differences in colour and scales.

 

   

Australian Pearl Arowana is a beautiful Arowana species and quite similar to the Asian Arowana, except that the Australian Pearl arowana have smaller scales with red spots. The asian Arowana has 5 horinzontal layers of scales whereas the Australian Arowana has 7 layers of scales. The Pearl Arowana have crescent-shaped scales and the tial are usually black in colour with small gold spots. The Australian Arowanas are kown to be more aggressive than any other Arowana.   

Australia Spotted Arowana is nearly the same as the Pearl Arowana except that the fins and tail are darker in color. The scales have small rounded spots instead of a crescent-shape colored spot similar to the Australian Pearl Arowana.

   Silver ArowanaSilver Arowana are the most common Arowana you can find in any country. They are also cheap and not a protected species. Silver Arowana have long fins and tail with a silver-coloured body. This species was the first one known among the members of the family Osteoglossidae.   Black ArowanaBlack Arowana come from South America and are quite similar to the Silver Arowana. When the Black Arowana is young, its scales and fins are black with whitish stripes. But as it matures, the Black Arowana will slowly lose its colour and turn a little greyish. Black Arowana are rumoured to be harder to raise than Silver Arowana.

     

 

Feeding the ArowanaThe Arowana is a carnivorous fish. In the wild, its food consists mainly of insects, fish, prawns, worms and small amphibians. The Arowana prefers live food, although it can be trained to accept other foods. Small Arowanas (below 15cm) should be fed three times a day, medium sized Arowanas (15-35cm) once a day or every alternate day. If your Arowanas is overfed for a long period of time, it may lose its appetite and starve itself for a period of a few days. Overfeeding can also shorten the life span of your Arowana and affect its breeding capability.

Live fish namely any bite-sized fish that is not poisonous, can also be Arowana food. Feeder gold, meadow, baby koi, baby catfish and small cichlids are commonly used. Quarantine is a must to screen out sick fish.

Prawns are good for Arowana as they contain very good protein, simulate growth and enhance its colour. When feeding the prawns to a young Arowana, you need to remove the head and tail as it might hurt its small stomach. Also, do not leave much live prawn in the tank, as they encourage the Arowana to constantly search downward for them and hence, may cause drop eye.

Arowanas can eat pellets but you will need to train it. Pellets contain lots of vitamins and nutritious ingredients, which will make sure that Arowana has a balanced diet.

Frogs are very nutritious food for the Arowana and are commonly used in Asia. They are believed to enhance the colour of your Arowana. They should quarantine for a few days before feeding. Do not feed dead frogs to Arowana.

 

     

  Common Problems for the Arowana

Gill CurlingWhen gill curling has occurred, the covering of the fish's gills will curl back due to excessive amounts of nitrates and ammonia in water PH. Another factor might be the size of the tank is too small, causing a lack of swim space. To prevent gill curling you should check the water PH and nitrates level regularly and add a little aquarium salt if needed. Secondly, change the tank to a larger size to ensure sufficient swimming spaces. If gill curling has occurred, then you will need to do minor surgery. Firstly, sedate the Arowana with medicine, and then place the Arowana on a wet cloth carefully. Secondly, use a small scissors (heat the scissors needed) to cut the covering of the gill slowly. Lastly, place the Arowana back into the water and let it rest. It may take 2-3 week to recover.

Bulging EyeBulging eye prevents the Arowana from looking up as the upper part of the eyeball protrudes. It is caused by feeding the Arowana too much fatty food such as beef heart or prawns and can even be caused by the fish constantly seeing its own reflection at the bottom of the tank. There are a few possible causes for this symptom and if it worsens, the Arowana might

 

become blind (eyes rot or drop off). Sometimes, bulging eyes might occur only one side of the eyes but Arowana is still able to swim and eat. It is better to take preventive measures against developing bulging eyes since there is no cure for it.

Head-rot SyndromeThis unique syndrome affects Asian Arowanas more than their Australian or South American counterparts. Head-rot is normally caused by using an active carbon filter. Head-rot will start off by a patch of white spot on the head. As time passes by, the white spot will start to rot and produce dents on the Arowana's head. The only known cure is to add some aquarium salts until the Arowana recover. Allow 2-3 weeks for the Arowana to recover.

Spinal CurvatureThis is mostly commonly seen in Silver and Black Arowanas. This most often caused by malnutrition when the fish is young and prone to injury. Since the problem usually starts when the specimen is young, they need to be carefully checked for disease at the shop before a purchase is made. Once it develops, it is difficult to treat and a full recovery is virtually impossible. But if a decent environment is provided, this will rarely lead to the fish's death.

     

 

Standards of Beauty

The definition of beauty of an Arowana varies according to individual opinion. However, there are some basic characteristics then can be used as a standard for judging the beauty of the fish. The main factor in judging will be the colour of the Arowana, since it is always the main point of its attraction. A fish having only a graceful body without a beautiful natural colour does not live up to the basic standard of beauty and will have no value at all.

 

   

       ScalesThe scales of an Arowana should be tidy and balanced just like the skin of human being. The scales of an Arowana must be smooth and even and should reflect some light to attain a certain level of brightness, colour and luster. If the Arowana scales drop off, they will grow back again, but the period of time that they do is subject to the age of the fish. The breeder needs to note that the fish will feel itchy when its new scales are growing and will tend to rub its growing fins, so all rough objects should be removed from tank.

BarbelsBarbels should be long, straight, upright, balanced and not slanting. Their colour should be similar to the body's colour. Any broken, shortened or bend barbells may mean a reduction in the fish's majestic appearance.

FinsAn Arowana's fins are its limbs. A damaged fin can affect the Arowana's graceful movement and ultimately, the overall beauty of the fish. The caudal fin must be big and opened up. It must not have an undulating shape. The pectoral fin must be big and long, and its curvature must be graceful in order to bring out the aesthetic properties of the fish. The standard of beauty for the colour of the caudal fin must be judged in accordance with the different assortments of Arowana.

MouthA beautiful mouth has to close up tight, and the upper and lower lips should not be sticking out or be imbalanced. Sometimes a fish will rub its mouth up against the glass wall, often resulting in a loosening of its jaw. To prevent this from happening, you should enlarge the activity space for the fish or install a water jet to increase the speed flow of the water.

EyesA fish living in its natural environment always has its eyes looking upwards to the surface of the water for food. However, when the fish is reared in a fish tank which is transparent all around, it tends to focus downwards due to the distraction around it and

because of the fact that its food is readily found around and at the bottom of its tank. Owners need not worry too much about this. A pair of standard, beautiful eyes should be straight and close to the gills. They should not drooping, and the left and right eyes must be balanced when the fish is turning. They should also be bright, lively, clear and sharp in colour.

Swimming PostureThe swimming posture is one of the most important elements in judging beauty. A fish's beauty will be affected by an ugly swimming posture even though the body of the fish is beautiful. The standard of a good swimming posture is to swim horizontally with every fin opened, and the barbells straight. It should make its turning smooth and avoid swimming up and down or slanting its body.