1st baby aro setup. Suggestions please.

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Goodfellas

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 31, 2010
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Phnom Penh
I am purchasing my first arowana at 4 inches. I have a cycled tank measuring 3.5x1.5 ft rough estimate. Filters is 300gph hang on back and 350gph canister also have a powerhead. Decor is a few wood pieces and single layer of gravel. All holes covered for jumping. Temp is 82, ph 6.8, 0 nitrites and nitrates always under 40. Weekly half water changes.

Now experts please advise on care. I saved up for this fish and can't afford another one. Thank you:headbang2
 
I'm no export when but I think sponge filter would be the best for aro at this size. or if you have a way of reducing current in the tank to make it as calm as possible.
most will probably ask you what's you long term plan for the aro cuz the tank you have now is no where big enough.
 
Depending on wat aro u r getting.. as most of them hit to well over 2'..
Be prepared to give them a huge tank.. i would say 6'x3'x3' at the very least.. so u can enjoy them grace around the tank..
a tank too small will make ur aro go bonkers..:nilly:
 
What species of arowana? What fish already inhabit the tank?
 
Curious to know this as well. Lfs has a 4" for $15. I thinks it a silver. He's awfully skinny tho. Doesn't look too healthy but I've been thinking about tryin to save him and put him in my planted 55 till he's a bit bigger and can go in my 240. What do smaller aros eat? Will they take small pellets and flake or forzen foods? What's the best diet to help them mature and grow?
 
For South American arowana(silvers or blacks) I would recommend that they be raised without other tankmates until they are 5-6" and then only a very select tank mates until they are 10-11". Once they are bigger (10-11")you can add the more aggressive mates but need to limit them to half the arowana length. The SA aro are extreme jumpers so all holes must be sealed, add weight to secure the top.

Feeding small SA aro, under 3" need to be a soft floating food. Freeze dried bloodworms works great, even some flake food. Once they are 4" you can get them started on pellets, I have had better luck with breaking up large pellet instead of offering a small or mini pellet. You have to watch with buying from the LFS as they may only have fed crickets and/or guppies, which will be hard to break the aro from.

Keep your water parameters pristine, nitrates below 10ppm. If you can, pH on the acidic side, this makes ammonia much less harmful if there happens to be a spike. Keep surface currents as mellow as possible, also lowering the water line a few inches can help lesson collisions with the top during feeding.

Silver arowana grow at an average of 1-1.5" per month, blacks are a little slower. You need to be prepared with having a larger tank ready to move them too. As a guide the aro should be in a tank that has a length at least 3x as long as the aro and a width not less then the length of the aro. Figure the arowana will grow, with proper care, to be well over 30" in length.

I have only raised SA arowana, but I would not see how this could hurt raising any other species of arowana. Good luck and please read the link below.

do you want an arowana?...then read this
 
Thanks everyone this is only a juvenile tank. I think it is called red tail arowana. Just acclimated into my tank. I put sponges on my intake tube too.
 
We want to see a pic of this fellow.

At 4 inches, you don't need to keep him in such a large tank. You can raise him up in a 30 gallon tank up to 7-8 inches then move to bigger on. I had silvers that I divided a long 20 gallon tank and raised. Allowed me to power feed them, easier to do water change and also helps them find the food easier too. Also, you don't have to worry much of ammonia and nitrates. If you do your weekly WC, you'll be all good. My 2c if you don't want cycle a big tank.
 
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