eager to get an arowana!

[ubomb623]

Hello,

I have been wanted to get an arowana ever since I was a little kid and I have recently got the itch to get one again. I have had a fish tank all my life, started with a 75g saltwater as a kid and recently got a 55g freshwater all set up.

I am in the market for a good 180-210 gallon tank to put some bigger fish in, specifically an arowana. I have read that would be a good size is that correct? Also i am trying to figure out if i want any tank mates for my arowana. Thinking maybe a freshwater ray or possibly a gar, anyone know how these would be as tankmates, and any suggestions for tank mates would be appreciated, just looking for something nice to compliment the arowana.

Also just wondering, i know arowana's are very jumpy, does this make it hard to clean the tank? Will they sometimes try to jump out while cleaning?

One last question, I have read some conflicting articles, some say to keep a smaller aro in a smaller tank and move him to the big tank when he gets bigger, and not to put the small aro in the big tank till he/she is ready. I have also read that a small aro would be fine in a big tank. I was just wondering which is true, if maybe i should start a small aro in my 55g tank and then move in to the bigger one when its ready.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, love the site btw!

 

[Bderick67]

Depends on species of arowana, a 180g will be outgrown by some. Can be a tight forever home for others. Before considering tank size, research for tankmates such as rays or gar needs to be done to ensure proper tank size for all.

The more research you can do,the less suffering your fish will have to endure.

so which species arowana are you thinking of getting?

 

[ubomb623]

im not exactly sure yet. probably a silver or a jar. not sure if ill be able to find any other types in illinois they are hard to come by as is

 

[Bderick67]

well the difference between a silver and a jar is big when considering both tank size and tank mates.

With a silver you will end up needing a tank with at least an 8' x 3' footprint. Tankmates you'll have a very wide variety though most experienced in the matter do not recommend gars/aro combos.

With the jardini, a smaller tank is allowed. A footprint of 6'x2.5' would be ideal though a 180g 6x2x2' could work. Chance of tankmates are greatly reduced. Many jardini have to be kept solitaire as they will destroy anything put with them.

 

[ubomb623]

yea thats what ive been reading. i will probably go with a jar honestly without any tankmates. its hard to find any tanks over 210g around here that arent above my price range

 

[ubomb623]

possibly a black aro too, my lfs has had a few of those as well

 

[Bderick67]

possibly a black aro too, my lfs has had a few of those as well

Though not as bulky as a silver aro, blacks get just as long and require the same tank as a silver would.