For the future, just wondering

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kellymarie1081

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Nov 25, 2006
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what is the minimum size tank for an arowana? do they prefer to be with other arowanas or are they ok by themselves or with other fish? should i get a baby and raise it or is it easier to get an adolecent? any other info that you have that would help me make my decision would be appreciated.

ps. for the record, i am NOT considering adding one to my existing tank. this is a contemplation of taking on another LARGER tank!
 
For it too live out it's full life and not be stunted, I'd think something along the lines of nearly a 1000g will be nessisary. Smaller can be used short term, but I would highly recomend against buying a fish you can't house properly for the long run.
 
dorkfish said:
For it too live out it's full life and not be stunted, I'd think something along the lines of nearly a 1000g will be nessisary. Smaller can be used short term, but I would highly recomend against buying a fish you can't house properly for the long run.
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HOLY COW! i agree with you on not getting a fish that i can't take care of it's whole life. i just didn't realize i would need a tank that HUGE! that will be one fish that i will NOT be taking on. although i would love the opportunity, they are really awesome fish. i am in awe every time i see them at the lfs.
 
Assuming you're talking about silver arowanas, one can reach full size in an 8x3 tank (unless you obtain one that gets abnormally large). Bigger is always better. A 180 is a good starting tank for an arowana, because when they hit the 18" mark their growth slows IME. It's not a good idea to mix arowanas, because they will probably fight and one will die. You might be lucky and get a pair, but that's rare. If you want more than one arowana, it's best to get a tank big enough to hold 5 to spread agression.

When they are young they will grow 2" a month (up to about 16"). If you have the tank for one, I suggest getting one. They are really docile (unless the fish can be considered food), and are wonderful to watch.

I have a silver and a black at the moment, and they are 2 of my favorite fish. I watch them for hours. Feeding time is a splash too....literally:D

If you want to learn more, check out the arowana section at www.monsterfishkeepers.com. There is a TON of arowana owners over there:)
 
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Don't buy one unless you got a mad huge setup.

Yeah, I made the mistake of getting a silver arrowana for a 55 gallon tank when I was dumb and inexperienced with fish keeping. (rookie mistake) after about 6 months it was getting to big for my tank and I had to take it back to the LFS.

i work part time at an aquarium in NJ and we have three Silver Arrowana's (about 2-3 feet long) in a tank over 10,000 gallons. So you need alot of room. They are with Pacu's and freshwater rays, etc.

This is a fish that is awesome, but really has no business being in the home aquarium trade. It's for serious aquarists only.
 
In the middle of the 1970s I was stationed at an Air Force base in California where the owner of a pet store had a huge tank filled with large fish including an arrowana. It was over four feet long and had to be hand fed. I will never forget that fish.
 
Arowanas are notorious for eating your money. They eat a bunch of feeder fish everyday. They grow very very fast and you have to keep upgrading your tank, and you can't use carbon filters which means you have to clean your tank alot more.

I loved to hand feed mine.

I'd hold helpless little feeder goldfish by the tail and Dumpling, my arowana, would jump out of the tank and grab the fish along with some of my finger. Their teeth don't really hurt but it's scary the first time they do it.
 
tjBlotto said:
Arowanas are notorious for eating your money. They eat a bunch of feeder fish everyday. They grow very very fast and you have to keep upgrading your tank, and you can't use carbon filters which means you have to clean your tank alot more.

I loved to hand feed mine.

I'd hold helpless little feeder goldfish by the tail and Dumpling, my arowana, would jump out of the tank and grab the fish along with some of my finger. Their teeth don't really hurt but it's scary the first time they do it.
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That is not true. I dont use carbon and I dont have to clean the tank any more than the others. You can use carbon with no ill effects.

Also, the last feeder my black arowana saw was when he was about 5", and my silver hasn't had a feeder for over a year. Both look fantastic. In fact, my silver looks MUCH better than when he was being fed feeders.
It's actually a good idea to NOT feed them feeders. They are ok once in a while if they are quarantined properly, but they shouldn't be used as a staple
 
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Ya I agree rally kind of wondering about that post. Carbon use or non use will not change the ammount of maintenance that you have to do on a tank. Also as you said I have never heard of any bad things comeing of useing carbon with arrow's. Also No fish needs to be fed feeders. They can be conditioned to eat earthworms, krill, shrimp, pellets, beef heart, and a host of other things including many vegetables.
 
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