| Like all aquarium fish, the natural habitat of | | | | promote a healthy environment and lower the pH |
| Arowanas dictates how they may be best cared | | | | of tank water. The natural organic acids released |
| for in captivity. Although Arowanas have been | | | | by the leaves may help absorb undesirable |
| kept in captivity for decades, this is but a drop in | | | | chemicals, detoxify the tank, and reduce the |
| the bucket in terms of their existence in the wild. | | | | population of undesirable bacteria. |
| Arowanas are considered "living fossils," and their | | | | Peat and decayed driftwood are two other black |
| presence has been established at 60 million years | | | | water additives used in Arowana tanks. |
| ago or more. Their ancestral history dates back | | | | Commercially prepared "black water extract" is |
| more than 130 million years. The longevity and | | | | another option. When creating black water |
| freshwater evolution of the 7 Arowana species | | | | conditions, care should be taken that the tank's |
| points to their successful adaptation to their | | | | pH does not become too acidic or dip below 6.5 - |
| environment. | | | | 7.0. |
| As much as possible, Arowanas natural habitat | | | | Feedingi) Diet: Arowanas in the wild are predatory, |
| must be mimicked for their success in captivity. | | | | surface feeding fish that hunt in shallow, shaded |
| As closed systems, it is of course impossible to | | | | areas along the shore. They are notorious for |
| leave Arowana care to "natural" processes in the | | | | leaping after food flying or hanging above the |
| aquarium. But it is possible to let their natural | | | | surface. Their diet consists of live food in their |
| preferences guide how we care for them to best | | | | natural environment, and it is what they prefer to |
| support their health and promote their well-being. | | | | be fed in captivity. |
| From Nature to Nurture | | | | It is not only possible, but wise to adjust your |
| Most Arowana fans know that the asian varieties | | | | Arowana to eating some non-live foods. But for |
| are native to black water river areas of | | | | mimicking their natural environment, nothing |
| Southeast Asia. The four varieties of Asian | | | | comes closer than live foods. In the wild, |
| Arowana each originated in different freshwater | | | | Arowanas are known to feed on insects, spiders, |
| areas of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The | | | | frogs, fish, lizards, birds, bats, and even small |
| unique physical features of these rivers, swamps | | | | monkeys. In captivity, farm-raised prawn, worms |
| and wetland areas dictate optimum tank | | | | and feeder fish allow Arowanas to exercise their |
| conditions for Arowanas in captivity. | | | | natural hunting instincts. |
| Water Attributesi) Temperature: Native Arowana | | | | Their natural diet also makes it challenging to find |
| habitats are located very close to the equator in | | | | suitable tank mates for an Arowana. In the wild, |
| tropical areas. Water temperature must therefore | | | | they commonly consume anything small enough |
| be kept at approximately 27°C (80° F). | | | | to fit in their mouths. The same tends to occur in |
| Water temperature would vary little in an | | | | captivity.ii) Feeding Schedule: Many experts doubt |
| Arowana's natural environment, and they do not | | | | Arowanas feed every day in their natural |
| tolerate fluctuations in aquarium temperature, | | | | environments. Even a large tank allows only |
| either.ii) Black water: Arowanas natively inhabit | | | | minimal exercise for Arowanas kept in captivity. |
| black water rivers and wetland areas. Black water | | | | Daily feeding is therefore unnecessary and may |
| is incredibly clean and tends to support a wide | | | | compromise water quality.iii) Tank Cover: Another |
| variety of unique fish species specially adapted to | | | | direct result of its natural feeding habits is the |
| its attributes. Black water is acidic, soft water fed | | | | Arowana's tendency to leap from its tank. |
| by black water streams originating from ancient | | | | Extreme care must be taken to secure aquarium |
| tropical forest soils that are low in nutrients. The | | | | lids. Attempting to discourage jumping in any |
| lack of minerals present in these soils keeps black | | | | other way is unlikely to prove fruitful, and may |
| water soft. The decaying leaves of Ketapang | | | | result in harm to the fish. |
| Trees that fall into black water release tannins | | | | Habits |
| and humic acids which further soften it. These | | | | Arowanas are usually found singly or in small |
| organic acids dye the water a distinctive tea color. | | | | groups in the wild. They are extremely territorial |
| The brownish-yellow color of black water is | | | | and aggressively defend the areas they occupy. |
| believed to contribute to the bright, iridescent | | | | Their natural instincts are at odds with housing |
| colors typical of many black water fish species, | | | | Arowanas together. |
| including Arowanas. Vibrant coloration may make | | | | Other surface-swimming or aggressive fish are |
| it easier for species to spot each other in darkly | | | | likely to appear threatening to an Arowana. |
| colored water. | | | | Reduce the risk of altercations by choosing one |
| With this in mind, many hobbyists try to | | | | or two bottom- dwelling or larger, shy tank mates |
| reproduce black water conditions in their Arowana | | | | for housing with Arowanas. |
| aquariums. Dried Ketapang leaves are used to | | | | |