Background

The asian arowana (scleropages formosus) is a fascinating primitive fish found in the Far East (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand). Unlike its cousins the silver and the Australian arowana, the asian arowana is an endangered species and is now protected by CITES. The fish was included in its list of highly endangered species in the early 1970’s as a result of overfishing and collection by the fish trade as a result of the belief that it will bring “good luck”. The asian arowana is now widely bred in the Far East and can be legally traded subject to CITES regulations, one of which is that the fish must be microchipped to differentiate between a wild caught and a captive bred specimen.

Singapore and Indonesia is currently leading the way in arowana farming. They are bred in open earth ponds and each female will produce approximately 50 eggs which will immediately be fertilised and scooped up in the male arowana's mouth. It then has to be harvested by physically prising the mouth open in the male arowana and releasing the fry or gametes as arowanas are mouth brooders. The fries are then raised to export size (15cm) before being sold.

The asian arowana comes in different colour morphs i.e. green, red and gold although further variants have been produced through cross breeding to satisfy the ornamental fish trade. The combination of Chinese beliefs , its rarity factor and its magnificence has made this the most desirable fish to own and subsequently the most expensive as well, with some exceptional specimens exchanging hands for five figure amounts! Fortunately hobbyists can start with the more affordable green variety and progress to a more attractive morph when they are in a position to do so.

Green Arowana

Banjar Red / Grade 2 Red / 1.5 Red

Red Tailed Gold

Gold Crossback

VIP Red

Red Arowana