Silver Arowana Fish Information
Silver Arowana’s Overview
The silver arowana has an elongated body with a compact and wedge-shaped head and large eyes. Body is silvery in color with large cycloid scales. It has pink and beautiful tapered fins with large and oblique mouth and forked barbels on the tip of the lower jaw which are used as sensory organ, able to detect movement on the water`s surface. This amazing species can also obtain oxygen from air by drawing it into their swim bladder. They are an exciting species that are constantly swimming around the aquarium, providing plenty of action and enjoyment. Dorsal and anal fins are extended up to the small caudal fin, with which they are fused together. It can grow up to 5 kg in weight and 120 cm in length and can live up to 20 years. With proper care, the silver arowana is a very hardy fish. It can have issues such as gill curl, which is often due to abnormal water quality and limited space. White spot or ich, cloudy eyes and coned scales are the other arowana ailments. Proper care should be taken to protect your fish from these abnormal situations.
English Name: Silver arowana, Two barbels bony tongue, monkey fish, water monkey, dragon fish
Scientific Name: Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
Origin: Colombia, Peru
Maximum Size: 120 cm
Water Temperature: 75-82° F
Water pH: 6.0-7.0
Water Hardness: 36 – 268 ppm
Behavior: Semi-aggressive
Breeding: Very hard to breed in captive condition
Care Level: Moderate
Life span: 20 years
Tank Size: Minimum 250 gallons
Compatibility: 6 or more juveniles can be kept together, but 10 or more is better
Background of Silver arowana
The Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) was first introduced into the aquarium hobby in 1912. Its scientific name is derived from the Greek terms for genus ‘Osteoglossum’ which means bone-tongued and for species ‘bicirrhosum’ which means two barbels. For this reason it is known as two barbels bony tongue. Due to its silver coloration it is also known as a Silver Arowana. Its eyesight is also remarkable. With a keen vision, this fish can see above the surface, spotting and leaping out of the water to strike insects and birds from over hanging tree branches. This has lead to still another nickname for this fish, the ‘Water Monkey’.Housing Silver Arowana
Juvenile Silver Arowanas can be kept in about 40 gallons tank but adult prefers an aquarium of 600 gallons or larger with a fine gravel bottom and soft, peaty water with lots of open space above for swimming. This species can be aggressive towards conspecifics if space is limited. Tank should be decorated with rock work, bogwood/driftwood and sturdy plants such as Amazon Swords and Giant Vallisneria. Silver arowana does best if there is a high proportion of dissolved oxygen and moderate degree of water movement so external filters, powerheads, airstones, etc., should be employed as necessary because they do not tolerate poor water quality, so excellent filtration along with frequent partial water changes of 25% or more is required to keep nitrates low. The Silver Arowana are excellent jumpers and very strong, so make sure the top of the aquarium is securely fitted with a tight and heavy cover. 6 or more fish can be kept together, but 10 or more is better. Knifefish, large Plecostomus, Catfish and Ornate Bichirs, large Oscars and other large South American species make good tank mates for the Silver Arowana. It can be harassed by large Pike Cichlids if the aquarium doesn’t provide enough space. Tank should be placed in low traffic areas to keep the Arowana from getting frightened by sudden movements.Feeding Silver Arowana
Juvenile Silver Arowanas chiefly feeds on small fish, tadpole larva, live brine shrimp, live brown worms, small earthworms and other live foods. They also like pellets, sticks, chunk of frozen foods, chopped and whole market shrimp and other meaty foods while adults accept strips of fish flesh, whole prawns/shrimp, mussels, live river shrimp, larger earthworms, etc. Like the vast majority of predatory fishes this species should not be fed mammalian or avian meat such as beef heart or chicken. Some of the lipids contained in these cannot be properly metabolized by the fish and can cause excess fat deposits and even organ degeneration. Feed should be supplied once a day. These fish are prone to Drop Eye in captivity, so proper care should be taken during feeding.
source: aquaticmag.com
0 komentar