Got my first silver aro a few days ago hes about 6" the only thing is ive never seen a fish thats so skittish. sometimes even the slightest movement will send him bolting across the tank to get away. I would like to get some feedback on how others have decorated their tank to make their aros more comfortable thanks.
how do I make my aro feel at home?
- Thread starter Arojuana
- Start date
Could you please post pics of your setup? If it makes the aro skittish dont.. aros are generally skittish.. you need to give your aro time to settle in.. jus make sure the water parameters are correct.. a cycled tank.. enough aeration and right temperature.. is the aro eating? the basic things are not to make any sudden movements in front of the aro and make sure the aro is able to see you enter and exit the room.. you could switch off tank lights for the time being but at night leave a real dim lamp on in the room where the tank is.. as far as deco goes remove all sharp stuff or driftwood if any..
Hes eating but hes only interested in food that floats. The tank is located in my room right next to the door so I'm always walking back and forth in front of the tank. I usually leave the light on from when i wake up untill i go to bed. today I found him on the bottom of the tank behind a rock which is something I've never seen him do before. also I just bought a second aro today thats the same size.
ah pic is too small, thats how most silvers are at first, well at least the ones i have, but sooner or later they become monster and hog the tank to themselves, mines tries to bite my hand everytime i would feed it
Ahah love your username. Give him about a week to settle in thats how long its taken my silvers to get accustomed 100%. Don't leave bright lights on and try not to startle him! This is just how some sivlers can be at first. GL!
The reason one is sitting on the bottom of the tank is because the other has been chasing it. It is now stressed and trying to hide. The likelihood of raising these two aros together peacefully is very low.
Lots of floating plants will help with the skittish behavior and can also provide cover for the weaker aro.
Lots of floating plants will help with the skittish behavior and can also provide cover for the weaker aro.
Food that floats?? as in pellets.. if it is pellets please continue with that.. i agree with brian on the aro being stressed.. and i'd suggest to keep the tank away from close to the door.. the constant opening walking in and out could also add to it.. anyways all the best 
Thanks guys. The one I bought today is acculmating pretty well and seems to be a little less skittish than the first. Unfortunately the tank is stuck in my room I wasnt given the option to put it where ever I want. The fish seem as if there aware of activity outside there tank so I think I'll look for some floating plants and driftwood next time I'm at the fish store. The one has been settling behind a rock in the corner usually after I have been in the room for awhile.
arowana hunt above the water.. they eat bugs and things on or above them. they don't naturally look for food below them. they are also independent fish, they don't swim in schools. and the only time they give a damn about another arowana in the wild is when it's time to mate, otherwise all other arowana are chased away.
feed them floating food as much as you can, and either take the second aro back to the LFS or get a FEW more and plan on building an indoor pond in the next year or so.
to keep the one aro from being skittish you can wear dark colored clothing when you are around the tank, you can try to move slowly when you are where your aro can see you. and yes, they can see outside the tank and are aware of their surroundings. keeping the tank dark or dimly lighted for the first few weeks will help, as will floating plants.
if you have carpet in your room you may want to cover the tank so the aro can't see you when you are vacuuming till he gets used to you and they way you move around the room.
and the #1 thing.. KEEP THE TANK COVERED AND SECURE. it's not a maybe, arowana WILL jump out.
feed them floating food as much as you can, and either take the second aro back to the LFS or get a FEW more and plan on building an indoor pond in the next year or so.
to keep the one aro from being skittish you can wear dark colored clothing when you are around the tank, you can try to move slowly when you are where your aro can see you. and yes, they can see outside the tank and are aware of their surroundings. keeping the tank dark or dimly lighted for the first few weeks will help, as will floating plants.
if you have carpet in your room you may want to cover the tank so the aro can't see you when you are vacuuming till he gets used to you and they way you move around the room.
and the #1 thing.. KEEP THE TANK COVERED AND SECURE. it's not a maybe, arowana WILL jump out.