Last updated on July 18th, 2023 at 12:59 am
Silver arowana, also known as Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, are not as rare or expensive as the white gold version, but they’re still considered to be one of the three most valuable fish in existence. These aquatic creatures can grow up to two feet long and weigh up to four pounds! They have a lifespan of about twenty years if cared for properly, which is an average amount for a fish of its size.
The silver arowana is one of the most sought-after freshwater fish. This exotic species can be identified by its unusual color and large size, which makes it popular among aquatic enthusiasts all over the world. The largest recorded silver arowana was 15 inches long.
This intensely colored creature has scales that shimmer in the light with hues of silver. The back portion of the body is covered in a reflective, glossy layer that can make it difficult to identify its true colors from afar. This large fish has a lifespan upwards of twenty years and will grow up to four feet long as an adult
They are a type of fish that can be found in the Amazonian River Basin. They have an average length from 12 to 18 inches (30-46 cm) and live most of their lives either on or near the surface, which makes them easy prey for birds. The silver coloration is believed to attract insects, while the long filamentous dorsal fin and the shorter, rounded pectoral fins are believed to make them more agile swimmers.
The silver arowana is prized for its beauty as well as its fighting prowess in fish competitions. They have been featured on television programs such as Animal Planet’s River Monsters with Jeremy Wade where it was explained that people hunt for these fish in order to sell them on the black market.
Origin
The Silver Arowana is found in the fresh waters of Southeast Asia and can thrive in both freshwater and brackish conditions. It has a long body with deep green scales on its back while the belly is silver-colored. The fins are white-colored for males and yellow-colored for females. They have been known to grow up to three feet long.
The Silver Arowana has a life span of up to 20 years in the wild and can reach around 60 cm (24 inches) for males and 90 cm (36 inches) for females. They are not territorial fish, but they are often seen patrolling their territory with fins erect as if standing on their toes.
They feed on a variety of prey including crustaceans, insects, small fish, or invertebrates. They have been known to consume up to 14 times their body weight in one sitting and can be seen swimming upside down with the help of their pectoral fins while hunting for food.
They live in slow-moving streams or ponds where their long fins make it easy to swim near the surface for food. They prefer warm temperatures (25–30°C) and shallow waters, so they are susceptible to overfishing and water pollution.
As of 2001, the silver arowana was listed as one of the top ten most endangered species by IUCN, “The silvery freshwater fish Arapaima gigas is considered an endangered species because its numbers are declining as a result of overfishing”, for many years it has been illegally exported from Southeast Asia to other regions in large numbers. This has led to increased reports of poaching with more than 80% of silver arowanas in Southeast Asia being exported illegally.
The skin and scales make this fish popular for the pet trade, especially in East Asia where it is known as “Asian Arowana”, they are also used to produce high-quality traditional medicines within China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Species profile
The silver arowana is one of the most expensive aquarium fish in the world. They are often considered as status symbols and their prices can range from up to $20,000 dollars for just one fish! The price of these beautiful creatures has increased by over 200% since 2005.
They are considered to be very difficult and aggressive. It requires an enormous tank with plenty of hiding places for them to enjoy, so it may not work in most tanks.
A silver arowana needs at least 700 gallons (2600 liters) of water volume as well as a filter that can move the equivalent of 100 gallons per hour. The tank should also need a heater and more than one power filter to keep the water clean for them.
Color and appearance
The silver arowana is light gray in color. The scales on the body are large and thick, with stripes running parallel to each other along the top of the body, these lines can be seen when looking at specimens that have been dried out or preserved by taxidermy methods. Their fins are also very long for easy swimming as they are a pelagic species.
They have an iridescent look to them as if they were a silver or metallic color, the scales reflect light in different colors and at certain angles; this is due to microscopic ridges on their body’s surface that causes what we see as “iridescence.” The stripes running along with the fish also change color with the way the light hits them.
Range and habitat
The silver arowana is found in the Amazon, Paraguay, and Uruguay River basins of South America. It primarily inhabits rivers but can also live in ponds, lakes, or swamps. The fish are usually solitary creatures that stay near their chosen habitat year-round, except for instances where they breed during certain months. These brave little creatures have a reputation for being difficult to catch, but it is possible with enough time and patience.
Silver arowana size
The silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is one of the most desired fish for freshwater aquarium enthusiasts. The average size for this type of goldfish can range anywhere from 30 to 70 centimeters, and it typically weighs between 8 and 12 pounds. They are also known as “arowanas” or “silver bichirs.”
Silver arowana tank size
Arowana tanks are usually about 24-30 inches long, 12-18 inches high and 18 to 24 inches wide. A single silver arowana can live in an aquarium as small as 40 gallons with minimal swimming space. However, if you have more than one fish they will need at least 120 gallons of water volume for their tank.
Life cycle
The silver arowana has one of the most interesting life cycles in all freshwater fish. The female will lay her eggs on plants at the bottom of shallow, calm waters before dying an average of two days after spawning. After hatching, they feed off plankton and insect larvae until they reach about 25mm. They will then move to the bottom of deeper, less accessible waters where they feed on small crustaceans and an occasional fish meal before returning back to shallow water when they are about 45mm in length.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
The silver arowana is an unusually aggressive fish. They are less concerned with territory than they are with food, meaning that any other creature in the water will be attacked if it stands between them and their next meal. This aggression does not extend to people who don’t try to grab or harm them, so in aquaria (the only place they are kept) they will often be tolerant of other fish and the people that feed them. However, in arowana farms (the only places many people have seen them), silver arowanas are usually solitary animals raised for their meat or as an object around which to build tourist attractions.
How big do silver arowana get?
The silver arowana can reach around 18 inches in length.
They weigh on average about 12 pounds and live for up to 20 years. The males are usually larger than the females, with some reaching over 20 lbs.
Silver arowana care
The silver arowana is the most expensive and rarest of all freshwater fish. They have become increasingly popular as pets because they are peaceful, rarely bite, and can grow to be really big (up to 12 feet in length). These amazing fish require specialized care that not many people can provide; however, if you have experience with large, expensive fish, they are worth the hassle!
What do silver arowana eat?
They are carnivores, which means they need to eat meat. It’s best if it is dead prey since they will not attack anything while alive. The natural diet of the silver arowana consists mainly of small fishes such as zooplankton and insects like water bugs or dragonflies.
The Silver Arowana is primarily a plankton feeder and won’t eat anything else, so it’s easy to keep them in an aquarium with no other fish because they can’t compete for food. One thing you may be interested in though is giving the tank some live plants or algae that will produce extra food particles if the Silver Arowana can’t find any plankton.
Silver arowana tank mates
Arowanas are best kept in a tank by themselves because they are territorial and can be aggressive. It is possible to house more than one silver arowana, but only if there is plenty of water space for each fish. The ideal aquarium size is at least 400 gallons with an additional 100 gallons per fish added on top of that figure.
Water condition
Water condition is the most important factor when keeping arowana. They are found in turbid, acidic water which helps maintain their color and aids in the growth of scales. PH level should be kept between neutral to slightly alkaline at around seven or eight on the scale with an ammonia level below 0.25 ppm as too much can damage gill tissues.
Breeding
Silver arowanas are the most prolific breeders of all freshwater fishes. They can lay up to 40,000 eggs in one day and 100,000 over their lifespan. These fish will spawn at any time of the year as long as they have sufficient cover for protection from predators. Some people say that silver arowanas fry should be removed from the tank as soon as they are free-swimming, but this is not true. They should be left in the breeding aquarium for at least six months so that their parents can care for them.
Only a small percentage of fry will survive to adulthood and become reproductive adults themselves. The average lifespan of silver arowanas is 20 years, but some have been recorded to live for over 30 years.
Silver arowana lifespan
Arowanas are live-bearing fish, with an average lifespan of about 20 years. The maximum recorded age for a silver arowana is 45 years old.
Parasites and diseases
Parasites and diseases can be a huge issue for your fish, but with the right measures, you may not have to deal with them.
Aquariums provide an environment where parasites and other disease-causing organisms can thrive, so it’s important to take care of these potential threats before they get out of control!
The most common parasites found in fish tanks are the ich or white spot disease. This is usually contracted through new additions to your tank and can be treated with a mixture of water changes and salt baths.
There are also bacteria-causing diseases that will lead to swim bladder issues for your fish, so make sure you’re not overfeeding them!
Predators
Silver Arowana are preyed on by other fish that live in the same water. This is a natural occurrence and there’s nothing you can do to stop it because they’re just trying to survive, like anything else would. It may seem unfortunate, but these predators help keep your Silver Arowanas healthy so they’ll grow big for their next meal.
Does it make good pets?
Arowanas are one of the most popular aquarium fish, but they don’t make good pets. The arowana is very aggressive and territorial in captivity, making it difficult to keep them with other types of freshwater fish. They also grow quite large, up to three feet from head to tail, and require an enormous tank for their size.
Is silver arowana lucky fish?
There is a belief in Japan that the silver arowana fish brings luck. The Japanese, for instance, sometimes hang them from their ceilings to bring prosperity and good health into their homes. This tradition has made this breed of overgrown goldfish one of the most expensive ones on earth with prices as high as $100,000 for just one fish.
The belief in Japanese culture that the silver arowana brings luck is rooted in two of the four characters used to write it: “ai” which means love and “shin” which means god or spirit. As such, this fish breed has been viewed as an omen of good fortune for centuries now.
Are silver arowana illegal?
Silver arowana is not illegal, but they have been heavily regulated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Services. The silver arowanas must be caught in accordance with specific fishing techniques and only during certain times of the year.
