Silver Arowana Care and Facts Guide 2026

Silver arowana are among the most recognisable freshwater fish in the world, known for their long, streamlined bodies, metallic silver scales, and surface-dwelling behaviour.

Often referred to simply as arowana (sometimes misspelt as arowana or arowana), they are admired for their graceful movement and commanding presence in large aquariums.

Unlike small community fish, silver arowana are powerful, intelligent swimmers that patrol the upper levels of the tank with slow, deliberate motion.

Their size and predatory instincts place them in a completely different care category from typical aquarium species.

Hardy silver arowana require careful planning, ample space, and stable water conditions to thrive long-term. When these needs are met, they display confident behaviour and consistent health.

This silver arowana care and facts guide covers behaviour, tank size, diet, compatibility, and key facts to help you understand what makes arowana such a distinctive and demanding freshwater fish.

Summary

• Silver arowana are large, surface-dwelling predatory fish that require spacious tanks and long-term planning.
• Tank size and swimming length matter more than décor; cramped setups lead to stress and injury.
• They are intelligent, strong jumpers, so secure tank covers are essential.
• A protein-rich diet that matches their natural feeding behaviour supports growth and health.
• Silver arowanas are best kept alone or with carefully chosen tankmates, as they are territorial and fast.

4 Types of Arowana

Arowana are not a single fish type but a group of large, ancient freshwater species found across different regions of the world.

While they share a similar body shape and surface-feeding behaviour, each type differs in size, availability, and care expectations.

Below are the main types of arowana, explained clearly to avoid confusion.

1. Silver Arowana

The silver arowana is the most commonly kept and widely recognised type.

• Scientific name: Osteoglossum bicirrhosum.
• Native to South America (the Amazon Basin).
• Long, metallic silver body.
• It can grow up to 90 cm (3 feet).
• Known for surface swimming and strong jumping ability.

This is the species most people refer to when searching for arowana / aroana / arowna, and it is the focus of most general arowana care guides.

2. Black Arowana

The black arowana is closely related to the silver arowana but is less common.

• Scientific name: Osteoglossum ferreirai.
• Native to South America.
• Juveniles are dark with yellow or orange banding.
• Adults become darker with age.
• Similar care requirements to the silver arowana.

They are often mistaken for silver arowana, especially when young.

3. Asian Arowana

The Asian arowana is a distinct species group and is highly regulated.

• Scientific name: Scleropages formosus.
• Native to Southeast Asia.
• Includes red, gold, and green varieties.
• Protected species with legal restrictions in many countries.
• Significantly more expensive than a silver arowana.

Asian arowana care, legality, and behaviour differ significantly from those of silver arowanas and should not be confused with them.

4. Australian Arowana

Australian arowana are less commonly seen but are distinct in appearance.

• Species include Scleropages jardinii and Scleropages leichardti.
• Native to Australia.
• Stockier body and different scale pattern.
• Generally smaller than a silver arowana.

They are kept less frequently due to limited availability.

Important Clarification

• Silver arowana does not have true colour varieties like Asian arowana.
• Names such as blue arowana or platinum silver arowana are marketing terms.
• Most online searches for "arowana" refer to silver arowana.

Understanding these differences helps set accurate expectations and ensures the proper care approach for each type.

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Tank Requirements for Silver Arowana

Tank setup, including size, length, surface area, filtration, and secure covers, is the most critical factor in keeping a silver arowana healthy.

As fast, surface-oriented swimmers, they require long tanks with wide surface space; depth alone is not sufficient.

Tank Size

Silver arowana grow quickly and require length and surface area, not just water volume.

• Juveniles: Minimum 250–300 litres (temporary).
• Adults: Minimum 750–1,000 litres.
• Ideal tank length: At least 6–8 feet.

Short tanks restrict movement and often lead to jaw injuries, spinal stress, and abnormal swimming behaviour.

Tank Shape & Surface Space

Silver arowana patrol the surface layer of the water.

• Long, rectangular tanks are essential.
• Wide surface area supports natural cruising behaviour.
• Tall tanks without length are unsuitable.

Surface access matters more than vertical depth for this species.

Water Parameters

Silver arowana are hardy but highly sensitive to sudden changes.

• Temperature: 24–30°C.
• pH: 6.0–7.5.
• Hardness: Soft to moderate.

Stable conditions are far more critical than chasing exact numbers.

Filtration & Water Quality

Arowana are heavy eaters and produce significant waste.

• Use strong external canister filters or sump systems.
• Prioritise biological filtration.
• Maintain moderate water flow.
• Perform 25–30% weekly water changes.

Clean water directly affects growth, appetite, and temperament.

Tank Cover

Silver arowana are powerful jumpers and will leap when startled.

• Use a tight, reinforced tank lid.
• Seal gaps around pipes and wiring.
• Glass or heavy-duty covers work best.

Many injuries occur when tanks are left partially open.

Lighting

The amount of light in the tank also determines the arowana's behaviour. Specific factors to keep in mind include:

• Moderate lighting is ideal.
• Harsh or intense lighting can trigger stress and panic attacks.
• Diffused lighting or floating plants help soften brightness.

Lighting should support visibility without overstimulation.

Décor & Aquascaping

Décor should never interfere with movement.

• Keep the tank mostly open.
• Place smooth driftwood or rocks only along the edges.
• Avoid sharp or tall structures.

Clear swimming paths prevent collisions and scale damage.

Also Read: 10 Most Dangerous Fish in the World

Diet & Feeding of Silver Arowana

Diet plays a significant role in the growth, behaviour, and overall health of silver arowana.

As surface-dwelling predators, they are adapted to spot and strike food from above, which means both food type and feeding method matter.

An imbalanced or inappropriate diet often leads to poor growth, digestive issues, and increased aggression.

Natural Diet

In the wild, silver arowana are opportunistic carnivores that hunt near the water's surface. Their upturned mouths and strong jaws are designed for snapping prey that falls or moves across the surface.

They naturally feed on:

• Insects and larvae
• Small fish
• Crustaceans
• Occasionally, frogs or other surface prey.

This diet explains why silver arowana respond best to protein-rich foods offered at or near the surface.

Feeding in Aquariums

In captivity, silver arowana adapt well to prepared foods, but variety is essential. Relying on a single food type often causes nutritional gaps or feeding refusal over time.

Recommended foods include:

• High-quality carnivore pellets or sticks (as a staple).
• Frozen foods such as shrimp, krill, and fish fillets.
• Live or frozen insects like mealworms or crickets (occasionally).
• Supplemental foods like earthworms for enrichment.

Pellet-trained arowana are easier to manage long-term and experience fewer digestive problems.

Feeding Frequency & Portions

Feeding needs change as silver arowana grow.

• Juveniles: Feed once daily in small portions.
• Adults: Feed every 1–2 days.
• Offer only what they can finish within a few minutes.
• Remove uneaten food to maintain water quality.

Overfeeding contributes to fatty buildup, poor water conditions, and reduced activity.

Surface Feeding Behaviour

Silver arowana prefer food that:

• Floats or sinks slowly.
• It is offered near the surface.
• Mimics natural movement.

Dropping food directly onto open surfaces encourages natural hunting behaviour and reduces stress.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods can cause long-term issues and should be avoided or limited.

Avoid:

• Mammalian meats like beef heart, pork.
• Excess feeder fish (disease risk and poor nutrition).
• Only live food diets (lead to dependency and imbalance).

A controlled, varied diet supports better health and behaviour.

How Diet Affects Behaviour

A well-fed silver arowana is calmer, more confident, and less aggressive. Inconsistent feeding or protein-heavy diets without balance often result in:

• Increased territorial behaviour
• Erratic swimming
• Reduced appetite over time

Consistent feeding routines help regulate activity and reduce stress.

Behaviour & Temperament of Silver Arowana

Silver arowana display behaviour that reflects their role as surface-dwelling predators. Calm, deliberate, and highly aware of their surroundings, they move with confidence rather than constant motion.

Understanding their behaviour is essential, as many common issues arise when their instincts are misunderstood or restricted.

Surface-Oriented and Highly Aware

Silver arowana spend most of their time near the top layer of the tank, slowly patrolling their territory. They are alert fish that react quickly to movement, shadows, and changes in their environment.

• Prefer open surface space
• Track activity outside the tank
• Respond strongly to feeding cues

This awareness is everyday and should not be mistaken for nervousness.

Intelligence and Recognition

Silver arowana are often described as intelligent because they:

• Recognise feeding routines.
• Associate people with food.
• Adjust behaviour based on the environment.

Over time, they become predictable rather than erratic when kept under stable conditions.

Territorial but Not Constantly Aggressive

Silver arowana are territorial, especially as they mature, but they are not aggressive without reason.

• Most aggression is space-related.
• Crowding increases stress responses.
• Territorial behaviour intensifies during feeding.

In appropriately sized tanks, they remain composed and controlled rather than hostile.

Solitary Nature

In the wild, silver arowana are typically solitary or loosely spaced. This behaviour carries over into aquariums.

• Best kept alone in most setups.
• Tank mates require advanced planning.
• Competition often leads to stress.

Keeping a single silver arowana is the safest and most stable option for most keepers.

Jumping Behaviour Explained

Silver arowana are powerful jumpers, a natural behaviour used in the wild to catch prey.

Jumping is usually triggered by:

• Sudden light changes.
• Startling movements.
• Inadequate surface space.

This is why a secure tank cover is essential at all times.

Signs of Healthy Behaviour

Healthy silver arowana typically show:

• Smooth, controlled swimming.
• Strong feeding response.
• Calm surface patrols.
• Minimal panic reactions.

Signs of Stress or Behavioural Issues

Behavioural problems often indicate environmental issues.

Warning signs include:

• Repeated glass surfing.
• Sudden loss of appetite.
• Erratic darting or crashing.
• Excessive aggression.

These behaviours usually point to tank size limitations, poor water quality, or environmental stress.

Misinterpreting their behaviour often leads to incorrect care decisions, while understanding it leads to long-term success.

Tank Mates for Silver Arowana

Choosing tank mates for a silver arowana requires careful planning and realistic expectations.

While they are not aggressive by default, their size, speed, and surface dominance make them incompatible with most other species.

Most problems arise when tank mates compete for space, food, or territory. For many keepers, a single-species tank remains the safest option.

Can Silver Arowana Live with Other Fish?

Yes, but only under specific conditions:

• The tank must be huge.
• Tank mates must be too big to swallow.
• Species must occupy different swimming zones.
• Competition during feeding must be controlled.

Even then, compatibility is never guaranteed.

Suitable Tank Mates

The following fish are sometimes kept with silver arowana in large, well-managed tanks:

• Large catfish (plecos, redtail catfish*).
• Large cichlids (oscars, green terrors).
• Giant gourami.
• Datnoids (tiger fish).
• Large stingrays (expert-only systems).

*Redtail catfish grow extremely large and require massive tanks, often unsuitable for most home aquariums.

These species work only because they are:

• Too large to be eaten.
• Confident and robust.
• Able to hold their own territory.

Tank Mates to Avoid

Many fish are incompatible due to size, speed, or behaviour.

Avoid:

• Small or medium-sized fish (will be eaten).
• Surface-dwelling species (direct competition).
• Slow or timid fish.
• Highly aggressive predators.
• Delicate or long-finned species.

Even fish that start safe can become prey as the arowana grows.

Feeding Competition Risks

Most tank mate conflicts happen during feeding.

• Arowanas are fast surface feeders.
• Slower fish may be outcompeted.
• Aggression often spikes at feeding time.

Target feeding and careful monitoring are essential in mixed tanks.

Space & Territory Considerations

Silver arowana establishes a clear surface territory.

• Crowding increases stress and chasing.
• Bottom-dwelling fish fare better than mid or surface fish.
• Extra tank length is more important than adding volume.

Without sufficient space, even compatible species may clash.

Best practise Recommendation

For most keepers:

• One silver arowana per tank is the most stable option.
• Mixed-species tanks should only be attempted by experienced aquarists.
• Growth rate must always be considered, not just current size.

Breeding Basics of Silver Arowana

Breeding silver arowana is rare in home aquariums and should be approached with realistic expectations. While they are not impossible to breed, their size, space requirements, and specific reproductive behaviour make successful breeding limited primarily to extensive private systems or commercial facilities.

Natural Breeding Behaviour

In the wild, silver arowana breed in calm, shallow waters during favourable seasonal conditions. They form pairs temporarily rather than permanent bonds.

Key traits include:

• Pairing only when mature and conditions are right.
• Low-frequency spawning events.
• High investment in fry survival.

This natural pattern explains why breeding does not occur easily in confined spaces.

Sexual Maturity

Silver arowana take time to mature.

• Sexual maturity usually occurs at 3–4 years of age
• Fish must be fully grown and in excellent health
• Sexing juveniles visually is extremely difficult

Because males and females look similar, identifying a breeding pair is a significant challenge.

Mouthbrooding Explained

Silver arowanas are male mouthbrooders, a defining characteristic of their breeding process.

• After spawning, the male collects fertilised eggs in his mouth.
• Eggs and fry remain protected in the mouth for 6–8 weeks.
• During this time, the male eats little or nothing.

This behaviour greatly increases fry survival but makes breeding stressful for the male.

Aquarium Breeding Challenges

Several factors make aquarium breeding difficult:

• Tank size: Breeding requires huge tanks or ponds.
• Pair formation: Fish may not accept each other.
• Stress sensitivity: Disturbances often interrupt spawning.
• Jumping risk: Breeding adults are even more reactive.

Most home setups do not provide the space required.

Fry Development

Once released, fry are relatively large and well-developed.

• Fry emerge with visible yolk sacs.
• They grow quickly under stable conditions.
• Require clean water and gentle flow.

Even after release, survival depends heavily on space and water quality.

Is Breeding Recommended for Hobbyists?

For most aquarists, breeding silver arowana is not practical.

• Keeping a single specimen is more realistic.
• Attempting breeding without space often causes injury or stress.
• Success rates in home tanks are incredibly low.

Silver arowana are best appreciated for their growth, behaviour, and longevity rather than breeding potential.

Why Understanding Breeding Still Matters

Even if breeding is not the goal, understanding silver arowana reproduction helps explain:

• Their territorial behaviour.
• Sensitivity to stress.
• Need for space and stability.

Recognising these instincts leads to better long-term care and fewer behavioural issues.

10 Key Facts About Silver Arowana

Silver arowana are often described as "ancient" fish, and many of their traits reflect a long evolutionary history. These facts highlight what truly sets them apart from typical freshwater species and help explain their unique care needs.

1. Ancient lineage: Silver arowana belong to one of the oldest freshwater fish families, with ancestors dating back millions of years. Their body shape has changed very little over time.

2. Surface predators by design: Their upturned mouth and surface-focused vision are adapted for catching insects, small fish, and prey that fall onto the water from above.

3. Exceptional jumpers: In the wild, silver arowana leap out of the water to catch insects and small animals. This same instinct makes a secure tank cover essential in aquariums.

4. Rapid growth rate: Juveniles grow quickly in their first few years. Many care problems arise when owners underestimate how fast they outgrow smaller tanks.

5. Long lifespan: With proper care and space, silver arowana can live 15–20 years or more, making them a long-term commitment rather than a short-term pet.

6. Strong visual awareness: Silver arowana closely track movement outside the tank and often recognise feeding routines, which is why they appear highly alert.

7. Mouthbrooding males: During breeding, the male carries eggs and fry in his mouth for several weeks, a rare and demanding form of parental care.

8. Limited colour variation: Unlike Asian arowana, silver arowana do not have true colour morphs. Names like "blue" or "platinum" are usually marketing terms.

9. Often misnamed online: Searches for arowana, arowana, or arowana almost always refer to silver arowana rather than other species.

10. Best suited for experienced keepers: Their size, strength, and space requirements make silver arowana unsuitable for small or casual aquarium setups.

These facts help place silver arowana in the proper context: not as decorative fish, but as powerful, long-lived predators that demand space, planning, and informed care.

Also Read: 10 Most Dangerous Fish in the World

Beginner Tips & Common Mistakes with Silver Arowana

Silver arowana require planning and consistency more than constant adjustment.

The points below pair with actions to make caring for an arowana easier:

• Plan for adult size from day one
  Always design the tank, filtration, and space based on adult size, not the juvenile stage.
• Use a secure, reinforced tank cover
  Silver arowana are powerful jumpers, even when calm.
• Maintain stable routines
  Consistent feeding times, lighting schedules, and water changes reduce stress.
• Introduce pellets early
  Pellet-trained arowana are easier to manage long-term and maintain better nutritional balance.
• Observe behaviour daily
  Calm surface cruising, steady appetite, and controlled turns signal good health.
• Keep the tank layout open
  Clear swimming space matters more than decorative complexity.

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid

The fish itself does not cause most problems, but it is due to mismatched expectations.

Understanding both best practises and common mistakes helps keepers avoid costly errors and build a stable environment from the beginning.

1. Keeping them in undersized tanks
Silver arowana do not adapt to cramped environments. Long-term confinement leads to injury and deformity.

2. Leaving tanks uncovered or loosely covered
Many arowana losses result from jumping accidents.

3. Overfeeding or using unsuitable foods
Excess feeding pollutes water and causes health issues. Mammalian meats and excessive feeder fish should be avoided.

4. Choosing incompatible tank mates
Small, surface-dwelling, or slow fish often become prey or stress triggers.

4. Making sudden water changes
Significant or abrupt parameter shifts can cause panic and loss of appetite.

5. Crowding the tank with décor or fish
Limited turning space increases the risk of collisions and stress.

6. Underestimating long-term commitment
With lifespans of 15–20 years, silver arowana require sustained space and care planning.

Conclusion

Silver arowana are not decorative fish; they are large, intelligent, surface-dwelling predators that demand space, stability, and long-term planning.

When their tank size, diet, and environment are set up correctly, they display calm movement, vigorous growth, and confident behaviour that few freshwater species can match.

Understanding how silver arowana swim, feed, and react to their surroundings is essential before keeping one. Observing them in a properly designed environment provides clarity that guides alone cannot offer.

At Aquarium Paradise, visitors can watch large freshwater and marine species in spacious, professionally curated displays that reflect natural behaviour.

Located near Snow City Bangalore and Fun World Bangalore, it's easy to plan a full day of experiences while learning more about aquatic life.

FAQs

1. Is a silver arowana suitable for beginners?
Silver arowana are not ideal for beginners due to their size, strength, and space requirements. They are better suited for aquarists who can plan for large tanks and long-term care.

2. How big do silver arowana grow?
Silver arowana can grow up to 90 cm (around 3 feet) in length. Their rapid growth rate is why large tanks are essential from an early stage.

3. What is the minimum tank size for a silver arowana?
An adult silver arowana requires at least 750–1,000 litres, with a tank length of 6–8 feet. Smaller tanks often lead to stress and injury.

4. Do silver arowana jump out of tanks?
Yes. Silver arowana are powerful jumpers by nature. A tight, reinforced tank cover is mandatory to prevent accidents.

5. What do silver arowana eat?
They are carnivorous surface feeders. A balanced diet includes high-quality pellets, frozen seafood, and occasional insects. Overfeeding and unsuitable foods should be avoided.

6. Can silver arowana live with other fish?
They can, but only in very large tanks and with carefully chosen tank mates. Many keepers prefer single-species tanks to avoid compatibility issues.