The Arowana is a freshwater fish species that is currently very rare and listed in Vietnam’s Red Book. It has a long, slender body with laterally flattened sides, a pair of long barbels on its snout, large shimmering scales, long pectoral fins, and dorsal and anal fins located towards the back. The fish can reach lengths of 60 cm to 90 cm, with exceptional cases reaching up to 120 cm, and a weight of 7.2 kg. This species is known for its aggressive nature and has the longest lifespan among ornamental fish.
1. Biology
There are currently no studies available on the biology of this species. Only some observations regarding reproduction were noted by H.M. Smith (1945) during his study of specimen fish in Thailand. The eggs are large and few in number, and they are incubated in the mouth of the mother fish until hatching.
Blood Arowana.
2. Habitat
The Arowana typically inhabits rivers and streams with strong currents; some fishermen believe that the fish often hides in caves. The Arowana is an omnivorous fish, feeding on various insects, smaller fish, and even frogs. In the wild, Arowanas can jump quite high out of the water to catch their prey.
3. Distribution
- Vietnam: Dong Nai (La Nga River, Tri An Lake, Cay Gao), Tay Ninh (Dau Tieng Lake, Saigon River).
- Worldwide: Thailand, Indonesia (Borneo, Sumatra), and some countries in Africa and the Americas.
Golden Arowana.
4. Value
This species holds unique scientific value and is also popular as an ornamental fish. Currently, natural Arowanas are very rare, with most ornamental fish being F2 generation.
5. Conservation Status
Rare White Arowana.
- This is a very rare fish species. According to fishermen, this fish was occasionally caught in the past, but now it is hardly encountered. Since 1969, this species has been protected by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
- It can be classified as category E. Threat level: Category E.
- Currently, this species has only been found in the La Nga River in Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Province, on October 10, 1998, and in the Sai Stream, Ba Hao Sector of the Ma Da Forest Enterprise on February 4, 2003.
6. Classification
Silver Arowana.
Based on their natural colors and the regions where they are found, Arowanas are divided into several different varieties. In the ornamental fish community, they are commonly categorized by color and shape into four main types:
- Cross Back Golden Arowana (this variety is from Malaysia), internationally known as: Cross Back Golden Malaysia.
- Blood Arowana (this variety is from Indonesia), internationally known as: Super Red.
- Red Tail Golden Arowana (this variety is also from Indonesia), internationally known as: Red Tail Golden.
- Green Arowana (this variety is found in many tropical regions of Asia), internationally known as: Green Arowana.
