How big should I go?

[Mkvc]

Hello everyone,

I am planning out a tank to house my dream fish, a silver arowana. I have a lead on a nice 300g but I’m not sure that’s big enough.

Potential fish I’m considering:
Silver arowana
1-2 bichir
1-2 Tiger oscar
Jack Dempsey
Ghost knife
Peacock bass
Common pleco
Maybe a stingray?

I realize I might have some aggression conflicts with all of the above, so I’m still thinking about what combo I want most.

What size tank should I aim for if I want to house as many of the above as possible? Obviously bigger is better, but I’d like to be able to fit the tank through my door frame if possible.

 

[Deadeye]

Aro needs at least 8x4, so that should be a starting point.

 

[Lepisosteus]

8x4 minimum for an Aro. Come on

 

[..puSkar..]

8*4*2 would be minimum but a 10*4*2 L. B. H would be ideal

 

[Krismo962]

Where do these numbers come from?

 

[..puSkar..]

Where do these numbers come from?

Which numbers?

 

[duanes]

Since an adult arowana can reach about 4 ft long, a tank of at least 4 ft wide would be apropos to simply turn around in without scraping the side, and 8 ft long is quite minimal for length just for sufficient swimming exercise.
Ad an oscar or 2 and a Cichla, and even 8 X 4 seems tiny, much less any other fish.

 

[Lepisosteus]

An arowana would be happy in a 6x3 for a long time. Seeing 4’ aros in captivity is very uncommon. Find me 2 members on here with 4’ silver arowanas. Exclude the members that acquire the fish already at large sizes.

 

[Lepisosteus]

Mine went from 4” to about 24” in 10 months. After that slowed down a lot. 30” after a few years.

 

[Lepisosteus]

Where do these numbers come from?

The numbers come from MFK hero’s who think all captive fish reach max size yet most of them will not follow the guidelines they preach for their own fish. If you have a 300 gallon tank and want a silver aro then buy one. It will be better off with you then the other tank it ends up in.