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Silver Arowana

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Complete Silver Arowana care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, aggressive temperament, minimum 250 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Advanced.

Silver Arowana

Quick Answer

Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is a large, ancient fish from South America. It requires a minimum 250 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature range of 24-28°C. As a carnivore with aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is a large, ancient fish from South America. Known as "water monkeys," they can jump several feet out of the water to catch prey.

Setup

A custom tank of 250+ gallons (8 feet long minimum) with a heavy, secure lid. Open swimming space, no sharp decorations. Powerful filtration.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats live feeders (fish, crickets, shrimp), pieces of fish, shrimp, and high-protein pellets. Feed adults 2-3 times weekly.

Compatibility

Usually kept singly. They will eat any fish that fits in their mouth. Tankmates must be large and robust: large catfish, gar, stingrays.

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Tank Position
Top
Water Temp
24-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.0

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Butterflyfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity African Cichlid Care Guide: Tank Size & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Bala Shark Care Guide: Tank Size & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Silver Arowanas should be kept together?
Keep only one per aquarium, even in massive custom systems. Silver arowanas (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) grow up to 36 inches (90 cm) and are powerful surface predators that require massive custom aquariums or indoor ponds. Two individuals in any size tank fight to severe injury and death. A single adult requires a minimum of 250 gallons (950 liters) with a footprint of 96x30 inches (240x75 cm). Provide a completely secure, heavy-duty lid with no gaps; they are extreme jumpers. Avoid with any fish under 6 inches (15 cm).
What are the exact water parameters for Silver Arowanas?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.0, General Hardness 2 - 8 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 2 - 6 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 80 - 200 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 160 - 400 μS/cm, and temperature 75°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C). They require pristine water parameters with low nitrates (<10 ppm). Maintain weekly 40% water changes using a massive canister filter or sump (10x turnover). Ammonia must be 0 ppm; they are sensitive to organic waste. Provide open swimming lanes and smooth decorations. Avoid sharp objects that can damage their barbels.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Silver Arowanas?
They are large carnivores requiring 65% protein, 15% fat, 20% plant matter. Feed floating predator pellets (Hikari Carnivore), krill, crickets, frog legs, earthworms, and frozen silversides daily. Avoid feeder goldfish (disease risk). Feed 3-4 times weekly as adults. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Use praziquantel safely. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with metronidazole (5 mg/L) for 14 days. They are prone to barbel erosion; maintain pristine water.
How to breed Silver Arowanas in captivity?
Breeding is extremely rare and requires massive indoor ponds (1,000+ gallons) and hormonal induction. Commercial breeders use HCG injections and simulate monsoon seasons. They are mouthbrooders; male incubates eggs for 50-60 days at 82°F (28°C), fasting during brooding. He releases 50-200 fry at 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm). Fry require live baby brine shrimp and chopped earthworms. Not feasible for home aquariums. Wild populations are threatened; captive breeding is for conservation only.

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