Some Arowana Questions:

[Taboojen]

Heya All!

I am going to be getting a new tank and was hoping someone can provide me with some advice. I'm a avid arowana fan. However, for the last 8-9 years, I have lived in an apartment so I have not been allowed to keep any aquariums over 40 gals.

I have an opportunity to eventually land a 100-120 gal tank in a few months and would love to keep a Jardini. My LFS currently has a few nice 2-3 inch jardinis. How fast does a Jardini grow? If I wanted to start it out in my 37 gal tank, how long do you guys think it can stay in there for? Will a 100-120 gal tank be sufficient to keep the Jardini happy? (if I was to keep it alone?) Anything else I should know? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[rweedon]

I have know of people that have kept aro's in 135 gal tanks the thing you really need to keep in mind is a lot of times it is the dimensions of the tank and not the gallons a 135 is a 6' tank and is just as good as a 150 as it has the same footprint but is just a lil shorter. I would not use a 37 as a grow out I would just put him in the large tank as far as 100 gallon is definitely too small I would get a 180 as it is not too much more money than a 120 and makes a great home for a single jardini... you might want to get some personal stories from people that have taken care of them before like my personal opinion is that you should have the large tank before you get a tank buster and also look into a way to keep the aro in the tank I see you are new to the tank but take some time to look around for some aro info and you will find that the number one cause of death is jumping out... keep him in and you will be a success...

 

[Vince]

great advice! as rweedon mentioned, the footprint of the tank, or dimensions, is key to answer your question. i feel that 135 gallons might not be sufficient in the long run. if you are planning on keeping an aro for life, go with the dimensions of a minimum of 6x2x2. Welcome to MFK !! Taboojen

 

[Taboojen]

Thanks you guys for the great tips and info. Yeah, I read somewhere that some people think its better to start the fish out where you want to keep it for good (ie-the permenant big tank.) Others have indicated that it would be easier to train a jardini to eat and make it more confortable in a smaller "grow out tank". Does this depend on the size of the fish I would like to start with? I'm looking probably to start with a juvinille fish around 3-6". Is it better to start with a larger specimin, such as one around 12"? I can imagine trying to get a 3" jardini to eat when it swims away from me in a 6 feet tank. hahah.

But honestly, I totally don't mind waiting for the bigger tank before purchasing the fish though, as it is DEFINATELY about the well-being of the fish.

Thanks again all!