Silver arowana

Care at a glance

The silver arowana from the Amazon is a long, silvery surface hunter that in the wild leaps at insects and even small birds from overhanging branches. The female broods the eggs in her mouth, so the young enter the water carrying a large yolk sac.

It grows quickly to nearly a metre and therefore needs a very large, long tank; fish kept too cramped develop permanent eye deformities. Cover the tank securely, as it jumps with force, and keep it only with fish that do not fit in its mouth.

Good to know

• Outgrows most home tanks
• Known jumper — cover the tank
• Preys on shrimp and snails

Best not combined with

• Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi
• GuppyPoecilia reticulata
• CorydorasCorydoras spp.

Related species

• Indian glassfishParambassis ranga
• Ocellate river stingrayPotamotrygon motoro
• Green spotted pufferDichotomyctere nigroviridis
• Panda coryCorydoras panda
• Figure eight pufferDichotomyctere ocellatus
• Sterbai coryCorydoras sterbai