Australian Arowana Care Guide - Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Australian Arowana is a long, powerful surface-dwelling predator with a broad body, large scales and a distinctive upturned mouth. Its bronze, olive or brownish body is marked with darker edging on the scales, producing an attractive reticulated appearance as the fish matures. The elongated dorsal and anal fins give it a strongly streamlined silhouette.

The Australian Arowana is native to northern Australia, particularly the freshwater rivers, billabongs and coastal drainage systems of Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula and the Northern Territory. It is also associated with nearby areas of southern New Guinea in some distribution accounts.

An adult Australian Arowana needs a very large, secure aquarium or indoor pond of at least 1,000 litres, with substantially more volume preferred for a full-grown specimen. A footprint of around 240 by 90 cm is an absolute starting point for one adult, but a longer and wider enclosure is far more suitable because this species is an active, powerful swimmer. Use a smooth sand or fine-gravel substrate, leave generous open swimming space, and add sturdy submerged wood or robust plants around the margins rather than delicate decorations. A tightly fitted, reinforced cover is essential because arowanas are exceptional jumpers, and filtration must be powerful without creating excessive surface turbulence.

Australian Arowanas can reach about 90 cm (35 inches) in length, although many aquarium specimens remain closer to 60–75 cm (24–30 inches). Females may become slightly larger and deeper-bodied than males, though individual size varies.

This opportunistic predator eats insects, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates, smaller fish, frogs and other animals that reach the water’s surface. In captivity, offer a varied diet of quality carnivorous pellets alongside appropriately sized prawns, mussels, earthworms, insects and fish from safe, disease-free sources. Avoid relying on live feeder fish, which can introduce parasites and provide an unbalanced diet, and do not feed fatty mammal meat as a staple.

Australian Arowanas are best kept alone because they are territorial predators that may attack tankmates, especially fish that fit in their mouths. Only exceptionally large, robust companions should be considered, such as carefully selected large catfish or other substantial Australian species, and even these combinations carry risk. Small community fish, shrimp, ornamental snails and peaceful or slow-moving species are unsuitable, while multiple adult arowanas usually require an enormous pond or separate housing.

Breeding Australian Arowanas is generally attempted only in very large specialist aquaria or ponds. Mature pairs court in warm, clean water, after which the male mouthbroods the eggs and developing young. The eggs are large and few in number compared with those of many aquarium fish, and the male may continue carrying the fry until they are ready to venture out. Provide plenty of space, excellent water quality and a calm environment, and remove other fish if aggression develops.

Sexual differences are subtle. Mature females are often a little larger and more heavily built, while males may appear slimmer and can develop a somewhat more pronounced head or jaw profile, but reliable sexing by appearance alone is difficult.