Arowana -everything I Need To Know

HI guys! A family member of mine has been interested in getting an arowana. Don't worry, I know how big this project would be. I know an arowana would need at least 200 gallons. But I'm not sure what else. What wattage heater for a 200 gallon? Would I need a sump instead of a regular filter? I've only had sponge and cartridge filters before so I don't really know how sumps or canister filters work. Does substrate matter? Would I be able to keep a common pleco in the tank too? Also, I only have a siphon for smaller tanks. What do I use to get the water out and in for a big tank?
Thanks for any help! I really appreciate it.

 

I'm pretty sure an arowana needs a much larger tank than a 200 gallon. Silver arowanas get around two and half feet long so you'll need something huge.

 

I'm pretty sure an arowana needs a much larger tank than a 200 gallon. Silver arowanas get around two and half feet long so you'll need something huge.

Oh. I read that 200 gallons was ok.

 

Oh. I read that 200 gallons was ok.

I think that's probably the size tank a lot of people use for growing out arowanas but they ultimately will need a much larger tank.

 

What kind of arowana? Asians can be kept in ‘smaller’ tanks (around 300) but silvers need massive tanks. I’d stick to asians not silvers. You’d definitely need a sump filter for this tank and a heater around 500-600watt heater. If I were you, I’d do a blackout tank with a bare bottom and no hardscape or decor. Look up king of diy on YouTube, he keeps asian arowanas.

 

What kind of arowana? Asians can be kept in ‘smaller’ tanks (around 300) but silvers need massive tanks. I’d stick to asians not silvers. You’d definitely need a sump filter for this tank and a heater around 500-600watt heater. If I were you, I’d do a blackout tank with a bare bottom and no hardscape or decor. Look up king of diy on YouTube, he keeps asian arowanas.

Asian arowana are illegal in the United States.

 

Ah. That makes sence that they aren’t as common. I’m in Canada I wouldn’t know lol

 

What kind of arowana? Asians can be kept in ‘smaller’ tanks (around 300) but silvers need massive tanks. I’d stick to asians not silvers. You’d definitely need a sump filter for this tank and a heater around 500-600watt heater. If I were you, I’d do a blackout tank with a bare bottom and no hardscape or decor. Look up king of diy on YouTube, he keeps asian arowanas.

I believe that a pearl arowana is the one he wants.

 

The fish that is often sold as an "Asian" Arowana is actually from Australia and New Guinea, Scleropages jardini. True Asians, Scleropages formosus (now split into additional species) are just as illegal in Canada as they are in the US, it's an international treaty that bans them from being shipped.

Silver and Black Arowanas from South America are Genus Osteoglossum. I believe they can get longer than the Scleropages species. However, the largest of the family is the Arapaima, which gets over 10 feet in length. It is a breathtakingly beautiful fish, even at those sizes.

These fish are all prodigious jumpers, and a two footer can break through a 3/8" thick piece of glass while trying to jump.

 

The fish that is often sold as an "Asian" Arowana is actually from Australia and New Guinea, Scleropages jardini. True Asians, Scleropages formosus (now split into additional species) are just as illegal in Canada as they are in the US, it's an international treaty that bans them from being shipped.

Silver and Black Arowanas from South America are Genus Osteoglossum. I believe they can get longer than the Scleropages species. However, the largest of the family is the Arapaima, which gets over 10 feet in length. It is a breathtakingly beautiful fish, even at those sizes.

These fish are all prodigious jumpers, and a two footer can break through a 3/8" thick piece of glass while trying to jump.

Wow. But I’ve seen arowanas at the store before. How could that be if most are illegal?

 

Some are still legal.

 

We have a 3 foot Silver Arowana at my store. I've personally seen a 4 footer before. You need much more than 200.

 

Here is a picture of the one at the store. Can you Id what kind of arowana this is? He was only a couple inches long, just a juvenile. I guess I’m going to need a bigger tank though lol.

 

Silver Arowana. How much are they charging? 50?

 

Silver Arowana. How much are they charging? 50?

Actually about 125

 

There one of those fish that everyone dreams of but really aren't practical to own.

 

There one of those fish that everyone dreams of but really aren't practical to own.

What size tank? How big would they grow?

 

They average 3 feet in length but can get 4 foot in length. They are a fast swimming carnivore so tank should be minimum 12 feet long and 8 feet wide.

 

They average 3 feet in length but can get 4 foot in length. They are a fast swimming carnivore so tank should be minimum 12 feet long and 8 feet wide.

Oh wow. That’s pretty big...

 

We have a 8 inch one at my store for sale for $100. The 3 footer we have is just a display. I agree with David on those dimensions. We have to put a net over his pond at night or else he’ll jump.

 

I would definitely not pay 125 unless it was like 10 inches. (Didn’t mean to double post)

 

Yikes arowanas seem scary, I recently saw a 2 feet arowana yesterday but wasent sure what species though, and the guy started feeding it and it started splashing like crazy...