Can diet create pinks and blue in a silver aro?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

SeanCJ

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 6, 2009
36
11
8
Kansas
I'm thinking of adding a small, 5" silver arowan to my 240 cube. The one at the LFS is a silver, but not very attractive right now. I do see some hints of pink and blue sheen to his scales though. The rep at the LFS told me that a diet of the color enhancing sticks or pellets can create a very nice pink/red and blue coloration to the silver.
Is this true?
My tank is a 240 gallon cube, 4'x4'x2' tall, 1" acrylic rimless style. Currently housing 10 4" discus and several tetras, 5 5" roseline sharks, and a few rainbow fish. I've done alot of reading here on arowana compatibility with discus and other smaller fish so I know that if I add a small arowana to the tank already established with the other fish, it should be safe, even when it does get large.
Also, I am very actively looking for a 500 gallon or larger aquarium to upgrade to.
I'm looking for something 10 feet long, 30" deep, and over 40" tall.
If anyone knows of such a tank, please let me know.
Thanks again.
Love this site and am learning each time I visit.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Sean
 
They're actually more expensive than Tenecor's price quote. I'm hoping for that lucky craigslist or ebay find, but am now considering building it myself.
But, that's another thread. :)
 
imo silvers look even more like trash when they are extra red/blue from the foods they are fed..

as for the 4x4x2 thats will keep him happy for a year or two.. the roselines will be gone.. but since its rimless i dont think it will ever be an issue of him eating your fish because unless you cover the tank the aro will just end up on the floor
 
I do have a tight fitting screen cover for the tank should I decide to get him. I'm well aware that they are jumpers.
Thanks for the input though.
 
I've heard feeding your crickets carrots will get the beta carotene to your aro. Very good for improving color.
 
To your first question about the food. Yes, if you do feed high quality foods like hikari it will enhance color. I have seen tanks with arowans and discus so you should be fine. I would just make sure the discus are a nice size tho. A custom made tank will cost quite a bit, 5k+.:eek:
 
A 10'x4'x4' should price out around $5k. When I priced out a 9'x3'x3' it was around $4500, but they make acrylic in sheets of 8' and 10', so if you want a 9' tank, you still have to pay for a 10' sheet.

My silver has grown maybe an inch or two since I got him. He was very pink and blue at the LFS. He's on a steady diet of hikari aro sticks, and the pinks and blues haven't diminished yet.
 
it could be your lighting and water too. it can effect the fishes appparence. try some Arowana Gourmet. but a boring diet (lets say shrimp) for all its life can have a impact on color. my friend has a silver arowana, and it is TOO damn silver and all he ever feeds it is shrimp. i myself like the more diverse color of the pink and blue that your talking about. from what i've seen..in the wild a silver arowana doesn't look silver at all. the body color is more of a dark green-blue. and the fins are sort of pink in a way.
 
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