Dragon fish, also known as Asian Arowana, is one of the Arowana fish species and is native to Southeast Asia. The scientific name of these exotic freshwater fish is Scleropages Formosus and there are subspecies such as Silver Arowana, Black Arowana and African Arowana. Dragon fish are considered the world's most expensive Arowana species, which can grow to nearly one meter in adulthood. These fish can swim very fast and attract attention with their high jumping abilities. People have attributed special powers to dragon fish, which are considered to be symbols of prosperity in the South Asian geography where they live, as they are believed to be able to sense certain natural disasters in advance.
General Characteristics of Dragon Fish (Asian Arowana):
These fish are most often found in the rivers of Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.
They are freshwater fish.
They are large fish and can usually reach 90 centimeters in size.
Colors such as red, green and gold are the most common, but other species such as Silver Arowana, Black Arowana and African Arowana are also found.
These fish prefer to swim in the middle and upper surface of the water.
An aquarium of at least 1000 liters is required for their feeding.
The temperature of the water should not fall below 24 degrees and should not rise above 30 degrees.
They can exhibit aggressive behavior with their own species and other fish species, and they can see small fish species as food, so it is not recommended to feed them in the same aquarium with other species.
They have a carnivorous diet and can swim very fast.
In nature, they are very successful at catching their prey on the water surface.
Sex discrimination is difficult, but males may have longer anal fins than females and males may be more aggressive.
Dragon fish consume a lot of feed and generally do not accept ready-made feeds, so their feeding costs are high.
Breeding usually occurs once a year and is a very difficult process.
The cleanliness of the water and the width of the aquarium are very important for dragon fish.
With good care, these fish can live up to 20 years.
Dragon Fish (Asian Arowana) Care:
Dragon fish are one of the most difficult and costly to care for aquarium creatures, and therefore they are not recommended for first-time aquarium owners. These fish feed on live food, which increases maintenance costs. However, over time, they can gain the habit and accept ready-made feeds. In addition, because they are aggressive, it is difficult for them to live in harmony with other fish species, so a special and large aquarium is required. Since dragon fish have high jumping abilities, their aquarium lid must be closed tightly. A factor that makes maintenance even more difficult is that the aquarium water must be constantly clean, as dirty water can quickly make these fish sick. Therefore, it is important to have an effective water filter in the aquarium.
The reproductive process of dragon fish is quite complex. In a large pond, the male and female must be together and compatible, then spawning can occur. Male Dragonfish carry the eggs in their mouths for approximately two months after spawning. Therefore, feeding and caring for these fish is more suitable for experienced aquarium hobbyists.
