Breeding Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum Bicirrhosum) In The Aquarium

Silver Arowana, Dragon Fish, Monkey Fish, Bonytongue, Arowana, Silver Aruana

Distribution

A freshwater fish that naturally inhabits the Amazon in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, the Rupununi River in Guyana, and the Oyapock River in French Guiana and Brazil. It can be found in the tributaries and channels of these bodies of water, in surrounding floodplains and swampy terrains. It prefers slow-moving waters where it swims just under their surface.

Appearance

The Silver Arowana has an elongated, laterally-compressed body, which sharply narrows at the rear. It has a very wide anal fin, a dorsal fin located at the rear of the body, and a relatively small caudal fin. The ventral fins are located behind the pectoral fins. The coloring is silvery-beige with an opalescent shine. The snout is pointed upwards and ends with two barbels. This fish is characterized by a bony tongue covered with teeth. It is also adapted to breathe atmospheric air through its highly vascularized, spongy swim bladder. The male possesses a protruding lower jaw (above the upper jaw) and a longer anal fin compared to the female. The female is fuller in the belly regions.

Temperament

This is a predator by nature that actively hunts smaller fish, land and water insects, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, and even birds or small mammals (e.g., mice, bats). Therefore, it should only be kept with suitably large tank mates in a general aquarium. It is a calm and friendly fish - thus, aggressive and territorial species should be avoided. In confined tanks, the arowana can be aggressive towards its own kind, which manifests by nipping each other. It's important to keep in mind that it will grow even in a small tank - its growth won't stop in a confined tank. Avoid feeding the fish mammalian meat (pork, beef) or poultry - this can lead to serious gastrointestinal and digestive diseases. They swim mainly in the upper regions of the water and feed on the surface (the fish won't eat sinking food). What grabs attention the most is the majestic movement of this species in the body of water, often compared to the movement of a water snake.

Aquarium

This species, due to its size, is not suitable for home breeding unless a really huge tank is available. The tank should have open spaces for free swimming, roots, stones, sandy or gravel substrate, plants, and diffused light. All decorative elements should have a smooth surface and streamlined shapes – a stressed and scared fish can easily hurt itself in the madness of escape. It can also be kept in the biotope tank of the Amazon's dark waters. Moderate water flow, regular partial water changes, a tight, sturdy cover (this fish can jump very high, even up to one meter) and leaving an appropriate space between the water mirror and the cover are necessary.

Breeding

This species is oviparous. The fish reach sexual maturity after reaching 60-75 cm in length. Pairs self-select from a larger school. Spawning occurs at night, during a new moon. After the female lays eggs (up to 30 grains of 4-5 mm diameter), the male collects them in his mouth and stores them in a pouch formed between the jawbones for a minimum of 2 months. The fry hatch quite large - about 5-7 cm. Young fish have a blue shine and one dark stripe along the sides of their bodies, as well as an orange yolk sac. If we notice that the parents are eating the fry, we should separate it as quickly as possible.