| The reedfish, Erpetoichthys calabaricus, ropefish, | | | | The species is also called water monkey, because |
| or snakefish is a species of freshwater fish in the | | | | it can literally jump out of the water and capture |
| bichir family and order. It is the only member of | | | | its prey. It usually swims near the water surface |
| the genus Erpetoichthys. It is native to West | | | | awaiting for potential prey. Although it has been |
| Africa, with its natural habitat stretching from | | | | known to eat larger prey like small bats and birds, |
| Nigeria to the Congo. | | | | their main diets consist of shrimps, insects, smaller |
| The reedfish has a maximum total length of 90 | | | | fishes and other animals that float on the water |
| centimetres, and it is a very long, slender fish (its | | | | surface, on which its draw-bridge-like mouth is |
| length is about 24 times its height). It lives in | | | | exclusively adapted for feeding. |
| slow-moving, brackish, warm water, and it can | | | | Arowana are also called "dragonfish" by aquarists |
| breathe air (meaning it is able to survive in water | | | | because of their shiny armor-like scales, which are |
| with low dissolved oxygen content). The reedfish | | | | similar to the Asian’s folklore of |
| is a nocturnal creature, feeding on annelid worms, | | | | dragons. |
| crustaceans and insects at night. The reedfish | | | | In the aquarium |
| serves little purpose to humans, although it is | | | | Tank size |
| sometimes displayed in aquariums. Its genus name | | | | It is important to have a large enough tank to |
| Erpetoichthys derives from the Greek words | | | | keep these large fishes. The minimum tank size |
| erpeton ("creeping thing") and ichthys ("fish"). | | | | for one Arowana for life is a 72"L x 24"Wx 24"H |
| In the aquarium | | | | or 265 gal aquarium . As it grows, a larger tank |
| Although reedfish are not commonly found in | | | | will be necessary to insure the maximum length |
| aquarium stores, they make wonderful pets. They | | | | and life span of the Arowana. |
| are inquisitive, peaceful, and have some | | | | Water conditions |
| "personality." Although reedfish can grow to be | | | | Water conditions are important for Arowanas. |
| 24" to 30" in length, 12" to 15" is much more | | | | Some black water additives can help simulate the |
| common[citation needed]. Because of their | | | | Arowana’s natural habit. |
| flexibility, however, ropefish can be kept | | | | Black arowanas can adapt to most water supply |
| successfully in a 12"-wide tank, which makes a | | | | and thrive |
| 20-, 29-, or 30-gallon or larger tank perfect. | | | | Temperature - 24°C to 28°C, but best |
| Although nocturnal, reedfish will sometimes come | | | | at 26°C |
| out during the day, and this can be encouraged | | | | Also a 25-30% water change is necessary 1-2 |
| by daytime feeding of bloodworms or, for larger | | | | times every week to maintain excellent water |
| fish, nightcrawlers. The fish are known to jump, | | | | conditions. |
| so the aquarium should have a tightly-fitting lid | | | | Feeding |
| without large holes | | | | It is very important that you do not overfeed |
| The black arowana, Osteoglossum ferreirai, is a | | | | Arowana when they’re young, because |
| freshwater bony fish of the family | | | | as they grow, they might develop drop eye. |
| Osteoglossidae, commonly kept in aquaria. The | | | | Arowanas will eat insects, shrimp, pellets, live fish, |
| term "Osteoglossum" means "bone-tongued" and | | | | beef heart, frogs, etc. The best diet for |
| "bicirrhosum" means "two barbels" (from the | | | | Arowanas is pellets, live crickets, and shrimps. |
| Greek language). | | | | Small feeder fish are often raised in poor |
| Description | | | | conditions and can carry many diseases |
| Its natural habitat is the Amazon river in South | | | | transmittable to predatory fishes. |
| America as well as in still waters in Guyana. | | | | Tank mates |
| It has a long body and a tapered tail and can | | | | Any fish will do as long as it doesn’t fit |
| grow to a maximum size of around 1 m in | | | | in the Arowana’s mouth. Many people |
| captivity. In the wild, it has been known to reach | | | | like having more then one Arowana in the tank, |
| over 1.2 m in length. The juveniles are usually a | | | | that’s fine and all but they must be at |
| dull silver color with black markings around the | | | | least 5-6 or more in the tank at a time because |
| head and the tail. Once it reaches about 15 cm, | | | | Arowanas are very aggressive towards each |
| the markings will disappear and it will start obtain | | | | other. It also eats mutton liver(raw). Be sure your |
| the silvery color, hence its common name. | | | | arowana is actually eating. |