| Despite legal limitations, captive breeding | | | | consider their coloration to be "silver" without |
| challenges, and of course their high cost, the Asian | | | | much variation. In fact, there is a great deal of |
| varieties will probably always be the most sought | | | | variation among these fish in terms of their |
| after Arowanas. Perhaps nothing can compare | | | | brilliance and coloration. The coloration of Silver |
| with the splendor of Cross back Golden | | | | Arowanas is so pronounced, many hobbyists |
| Arowanas. The brilliant coloration of Red | | | | boost their color through special diets just as |
| Arowanas is equally hard to rival. No matter what | | | | Asian Arowana enthusiasts do! |
| type of Asian Arowana one considers, no other | | | | Silver Arowanas may have a silvery, light grey, or |
| species rivals its status as King of the Aquarium. | | | | strikingly white body coloration. It may appear |
| Yet for many, the King remains off-limits due to | | | | highly metallic with a high sheen, or more flat and |
| their geographical location and trade restrictions. | | | | dull in tone. They may be solid in color or possess |
| Others simply cannot afford the prices Asian | | | | and/or reflect flecks of blue, red, or green in their |
| Arowanas command. What can you do if you're | | | | opalescent scales. Most have a characteristic blue |
| one of the many without access to your favorite | | | | coloration behind the gills. The fins and tails of |
| fish? Until it becomes available, take a practical | | | | Silver Arowanas can be red or blue along the |
| approach and enjoy an intriguing, amazing | | | | edges or in their entirety. |
| alternative. | | | | Silver Arowana Temperament |
| Introducing the Silver Arowana | | | | Silver Arowanas are predators with similar |
| Silver Arowanas are an excellent alternative to | | | | temperaments to Asian Arowanas. They may |
| Asian Arowanas that are nearly always available | | | | consume anything small enough to fit in their |
| and affordable. They are often the first species | | | | mouths and are best kept alone as a single |
| of Arowana aquarium enthusiasts are exposed to | | | | species representative. Tank mates suitable for |
| and provide a cost-effective introduction to the | | | | Asian Arowanas will likely do well with Silver |
| care of Arowanas. When considered independently | | | | Arowanas. They should be large, bottom dwellers |
| without comparison to Asian Arowanas, Silver | | | | or fast, mid-tank swimming fish that tend to stay |
| Arowanas are quite impressive and captivating. At | | | | out of the Arowana's way! |
| that time, with not much exposure to the asian | | | | Many experienced hobbyists claim Silver |
| variety, nobody could have convinced me any | | | | Arowanas are slightly more skittish than Asian |
| other fish could be more intriguing! | | | | Arowanas. They also have a reputation for being |
| Osteoglossum bicirrhosum was first given its | | | | more easily "tamed." Silver Arowanas are often |
| species status in 1829 in France. Zoologist George | | | | trained to take food directly from fingers, while |
| Cuvier is responsible for its recognition. Silver | | | | Asian Arowanas are rarely so docile! |
| Arowana originate from South America where | | | | Care of the Silver Arowana |
| they naturally inhabit floodplains and freshwater | | | | Silver and Asian Arowanas require nearly identical |
| areas of the Amazon River and its Basin. They | | | | habitats and care. They need very large tanks, |
| inhabit mainly swamps and shallow waters of | | | | immaculately clean, well-maintained water, and a |
| flooded areas, and their distribution indicates Silver | | | | varied, high quality diet. Careful attention to their |
| Arowanas do not swim through rapids. As surface | | | | environment helps prevent the onset of typical |
| dwellers, in the wild they consume fish, insects, | | | | Arowana diseases. Droopy Eye is perhaps the |
| spiders, birds, and even bats. | | | | most common affliction Silver Arowanas suffer. |
| Physical Attributes of the Silver Arowana | | | | One consideration applies to Silver Arowanas that |
| Like Asian Arowanas, Silver Arowanas are true | | | | is no longer a concern when acquiring an Asian |
| bony-tongues. These are primitive and prehistoric | | | | Arowana. While they are currently bred in |
| fish. In addition to their bony tongues, Silver | | | | captivity, a large majority of Silver Arowanas |
| Arowanas also possess the chin barbels | | | | commercially available are still wild caught. Be sure |
| characteristic of Asian Arowanas. They have a | | | | to inquire about the origin of the fish you |
| more elongated, tapered appearance than their | | | | purchase and take extra precautions with wild |
| Asian cousins, and their fins are significantly longer. | | | | caught specimens. If they are thriving in captivity |
| The dorsal and anal fins of Silver Arowanas | | | | at the pet shop, mimic their water conditions and |
| appear nearly connected with their caudal fins. | | | | tank set-up as closely as possible. |
| The females tend to have a deeper body shape | | | | Jumping is of course a concern with any |
| than males, and males have a more elongated | | | | Arowana, but particularly one that is wild caught. |
| jaw in comparison with females. | | | | A very tight lid is absolutely necessary to prevent |
| Silver Arowanas are very large fish typically | | | | a Silver Arowana from harming itself, especially |
| reaching 24 - 30 inches in captivity, although they | | | | during the first few weeks and months of |
| can grow up to36 inches. In the wild, Silver | | | | captivity. Many hobbyists suggest lowering the |
| Arowanas may grow as big as 4 feet long! | | | | water level of the tank somewhat during the first |
| Those unfamiliar with Silver Arowanas often | | | | few weeks of acclimatization. |