Some Black Arowana basic questions

[kokosnood]

Hi,

I am looking into getting a black arowana--I've kept fish for 25 years, but this will be my first aro.

I own two 8 foot tanks I could use to house the aro--one is 8' x 18" x 2'; the other is 8' x 2' x only 1' deep. Which tank would you recommend I use--the wider tank that is shallow, or the deeper tank that isn't as wide?

We are on well water here, and it is hard--400+ TDS. What should I use for make-up water; well water alone, or well water mixed with RO? In other words, what are the hardness requirements for a black arowana?

Finally, tankmates. Could I house a black aro with a school of giant danios? I don't care if the danios get eaten eventually...but are they any danger to the arowana?

Thanks!

 

[HighBackRTG]

Wider is better to avoid problems(ie. gill curling)when they turn.

 

[Bderick67]

IMO, either of your two tanks would only be good as a grow out. Another proper sized tank would eventually be needed. I would not try to raise a black aro in hard high pH water. They come from soft acidic water, IMO such water params should be matched.

 

[kokosnood]

IMO, either of your two tanks would only be good as a grow out. Another proper sized tank would eventually be needed. I would not try to raise a black aro in hard high pH water. They come from soft acidic water, IMO such water params should be matched.

I figured I'd need to lower the TDS of my water...planning to use 2/3 RO to 1/3 tap. Pure RO just doesn't have enough buffering capacity IMO.

What is a minimum size for full grown black aro?

And what about my school of giant danios? Any problems with a black aro eating them as he gets bigger? They're not poisonous are they? I think they'd be good dither fish while the aro is small.

 

[Bderick67]

I figured I'd need to lower the TDS of my water...planning to use 2/3 RO to 1/3 tap. Pure RO just doesn't have enough buffering capacity IMO.

What is a minimum size for full grown black aro?

And what about my school of giant danios? Any problems with a black aro eating them as he gets bigger? They're not poisonous are they? I think they'd be good dither fish while the aro is small.

Once the black aro is bigger then 24" it should be moved to a 96x30" footprint. Which would be the minimum footprint of a tank holding an adult arowana upto 32-33".There is the possibility of the arowana getting over 3 foot, so a 36" wide tank may be a better choice.

The danios would become food, but would not hurt the arowana.

 

[Miguel]

I allways find it difficult to uinderstand your US/UKmeasurements.

Are you saying, Brian, that a 2,4 metre long tank is small for the aro?

I would go for the wider tank, in any case. Aro's do not need deep tanks.

I believe that you will have good results with the RO water. Also add in a lot of wood to the tank and peat extract or any such brew as the LFS sell to create the adequate riverine environment.

Blacks are docile ( as aro's go ).

I say go for it!

 

[Bderick67]

Length is fine for either of the OP's tanks. But I would consider either too narrow to house an adult black aro. My recommendation would be to have the tank be at least 3x as long as the aro and have a width/depth at least equal to the length of the arowana.

 

[henward]

I think a 8 foot length, 80cm front to back and 60 height is sufficient for one black aro.
the danios will nto pose a threat to it UNLESS they are comparable in size.
black aros are very docile, Mine are just starting to come up tot eh tank and feed more now tis 30cms/12 inch or just under.
it actually eats the other food in the tank now, before only hikari.
now i eats the discus beef mix i put in there for my clown loaches.
but i have never ever seen it angry at any other fish, seems to mind its own business.

to get a BLACK ARO to get to 30 inches- i believe is unlikely and difficult in aquaria.

they dont get as big as silvers i believe.
2 foot out of them will be more common, from there i believe growth is slower. my formula, the front to back of a tank must at least be 50% mroe than the fish total length with aros.