i just bought a juvenile silver aro from my lfs. this is my first attempt at keeping a true monster fish. He is only 4 inches long (for now i know this is definitely not going to be the case for much longer.) the anima is being housed in my 75 gallon tank for now but i work at a shop that does glass work and one of my coworkers as experience in building aquariums. ok so i would like to build this beautiful animal a befitting home but dont want a ridiculously deep crazy tank so i was going to make it 108x18x24. that makes it approximate;y 200 gallons which sounds small for an arowana but the dimensions seem befitting to me. anyone else have any thoughts on the matter, maybe suggestions for a newbie aro owner?
does gallonage matter
- Thread starter Pig8enis
- Start date
IMO footprint is far more important for an aro than actual gallons. 24 inch height should be fine. But theres no way to keep a fish that can get 3-4' in a 18" wide tank. It's just cruel.
Water surface area is also much more important than depth for air exchange as well. I definitely agree with the above!
Volume is just a product of the tank's dimensions. Figure you need to have a tank that is at least 3x as long as your arowana and the tank should have a depth at least equal to the aro's length. 24" height should be the minimum, 30" will be better if a community tank.
Ok some amendments to the footprint are in order. I was thinking a 2 foot width would be good and the original depth needs to be at least 24 inches as well I figured 9' would be sufficient(more would be nIce but to do that I would have to have a basement and a whole wall (possible future build). But realistically 9' should be sufficient to house it for life with 2 feet to turn around. I know this may be a point of contention but what is recommended feed. He is currently pellet trained and will eat flakes. Should I keep him on this? I have silversides and krill in the house for my gymnothorax tyle ( in another tank not with juvi aro) should I try to transition him. I have done hours of researching this beautiful animal I just want to get opinions from people with experience so I can provide as best I can for him.
"2 feet to turn around" So what are you basing this 2 feet is enough on? First of all the recommended 36" has more to do with then just space to turn around. My 30" aros can turn around is an area about 1/3rd their length. The recommended depth of 3 foot is to give them ample room to move and feel secure.
I feed my arrow a mixed diet of silver sides, toads (when caught outside), crickets, grasshoppers (when caught outside), pinkies on occasion, krill, hikari sticks, cut tilapia, cut smelt, he pretty much eats anything. Btw bderick your arrows dont eat your silverdollars? My arrow ate all 7 of my silverdollars I was dissapointed, maybe he likes the silver on the fish i dunno but he does not mess with my clownloachs which are only about 3inches. So no silverdollars for me 