The craziness we see regarding Platinum Arowana first started in 2007, when a fish breeder from Singapore paid a hefty price to bring it for his fish tank. The name Arowana (Nirwana) has its Indonesian meaning – heaven or paradise, and some consider it as such!
Of the ancient ray-finned fishes, the Actinopterygii, Arowanas are majestic freshwater fishes and also known as “bony tongues”. There are several families of Arowana which originated from Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia.
Most of the Arowanas are quite costly depending on their varieties because of their possible threat to native species.
Arowanas are well-known as they are usually kept as pets by wealthy foppish people. To safeguard them, the owners farm them behind high-security fences.
Hello, fish buffs! If you have read this far, let’s get to know the answer to some interesting questions regarding Platinum Arowana.
What is Platinum Arowana?
Platinum Arowana is a splendid Asian kind belonging to the tropical freshwater fish. It is a very endangered species and can often be found in Southeast Asia.
For fish enthusiasts, platinum Arowana is one of the most sought-after ones. It’s not our regular silver or red types, rather an extraordinary one.
Among the arowanas, it’s the most captivating in looks justifying its hefty price. However, affluent collectors are always inclined to hand out any amount to be its next possessor.
At times, in Asia, it’s also known as the Asian Arowana or the Dragon Fish. Local folklore plays a big role in its booming reputation in Asia. Some of the species can also be found in Australia and Southern America.
Where do Arowanas originate from?
Many different sorts of Arowanas stem from South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The popular platinum ones are recognized to be deflected off from their Asian and Australian kinsman during the Jurassic era.
What does a Platinum Arowana look like?
As a quite big fish, Platinums arowanas are mesmerizing in their looks with a long skinny body and bony structural head. It can grow up to three feet long while being in the wild. As the name suggests, the full body is covered with metallic-like scales and shiny platinum coating, making it the rarest form of Arowana.
The reason that any conspicuous color is absent on its body is due to an uncommon genetic mutation. So, some label it as Snow White Arowana.
In addition to its unique traits, platinum Arowana has larger scales with dorsal and anal fins that grow to its small caudal fin. Having a roundabout mouth, it has enormous eyes and a tapered tail providing them a somewhat eel-like look.
How many platinum Arowana are there?
In the pet trade, it is known that there are about 10 types of Platinum Arowana. These Arowanas are classified by their origin. Platinum Arowanas of the genus Scleropages formosus and Scleropages inscriptions are at the risk of obliteration hence, enlisted as CITES level I.
Formosus is an Asian bony tongue aka Green Platinum Arowana and Inscriptions are Myanmar bony tongue ka Scripted Platinum Arowana.
Where can platinum Arowana be found?
Platinum Arowana’s native land is in Southeast Asia. From time to time, it has become known here as Asian Arowana or Dragon Fish which makes sense for how it resembles a dragon and flight. Some local dealers also call it Asian Marijuana!
Apart from Asia, they can also be found in the rivers, lakes, ponds in both Australia and South America. You can find some of them in the deep flooded forests.
How long does a platinum Arowana live?
Based on the environment they grow up in, usual platinum ones can survive for around 10-15 years while growing almost as large as humans in length, up to 4 feet 9 inches.
However, there are records, when left in the wild, some made it to about 60 years.
How much is a platinum Arowana fish?
Platinum Arowana has been topping the charts of the most expensive fish in the world for quite some time.
Almost all Arowanas come with high price tags but one rare white specimen set the world record, valued at $400,000! It’s the current price of a Platinum Arowana only if you can find one for collecting as it’s very rare.
Why is platinum Arowana so expensive?
Branded as a fish legend, platinum Arowana is a distinctive one in its features and one of the very rarest kinds, hence the hefty price. Collectors are always ready to spend hundreds of thousands to buy one! It is an exotic fish and intelligent too, according to marine biologists.
Generally, it’s much sought-after in the aquarium arena because of its outstanding appearance that can easily be the showstopper among other fish variants.
Additionally, in Asia, a lot of rich people are almost persuaded that it will help them in acquiring further wealth and property. These people indirectly helped the price to grow up to such an extent which is kind of shocking.
Are Platinum Arowana rare?
Evolving from a primitive fish, there are not many of them in the world, meaning it is classified as one of the rarest creatures. At one point, it went on the verge of extinction. Respective authorities had to put much effort to save the last pieces.
One of the reasons for the fish’s rarity is that it can’t breed easily. To keep a chronicle of its daily activities, they are sold with a certificate after the fish has been implanted with a microchip.
Another reason is, it’s believed that Arowana’s presence brings good luck, prosperity to the owner by nullifying negative vibes. So, for a long time, people have been hell-bent on collecting one to safeguard themselves.
Do Arowana jump out of the tank?
Yes, they very much do! Inhabitant of the wild, platinum Arowana is a carnivorous fish that can spit into the air from water. It can fly to capture its prey like birds, snakes, insects, etc.
As splendid jumpers, these kinds of arowanas are best suited for proficient aquarists. One needs to cover their setups at all times. Wild Arowanas have the strength to jump as much as two meters from the watery surface. Mostly because of stress and food, they try to get out of tanks. In confined spaces, they feel cornered, trapped causing immense stress.
Thus, only buying it at a high cost won’t do the whole work. If you want to bring it to your home or farm and drop it into your tank, that tank needs to be one with extra thick glasses. Otherwise, you won’t even know when it jumps out and might even attack you. There have been incidents where jumping out of tanks caused injuries or even death to the Arowana.
How many Arowana can be kept together?
The first thing to take into consideration about Silver arowanas is that they are predator fish that like to live in solitude. In their youth, they can be kept together while raising well.
Specialists suggest keeping 6 or more silver arowanas together. This doesn’t let the giant ones excessively bully the small ones.
However, adult arowanas tend to be pretty aggressive, which requires a tank for them without any companion.
Still, if you want to put multiple arowanas together, you have to do so very carefully keeping them in a large natural pond or an aquarium of similar size. But for beginners, it would be wise not to keep more than one in the same tank.
What is the food of Arowana?
These fish can occasionally turn out as omnivorous, mostly they’re carnivores.
In jungle life, they prey on different varieties: small fish, shrimps, worms, krill, snails, large insects, rabbits, frogs, and at times even snakes! Though their basic choice is small fish and crustaceans.
A fun fact about them is they frequently jump out of the water to seize small birds and insects dwelling on the trees nearby.
In the meantime, tank fishes live on insects like cockroaches, crickets, pellets, frozen centipedes, reptiles like lizards, geckos, etc. Tank fishes can also be fed the flesh of other fishes.
How to care for a Platinum Arowana?
Arowanas require steadfast care. Though they start small, they can grow exceptionally giant and you might require at least 300 or more gallons per fish.
As these fish are accustomed to leaping for their meal, they may very well try to willingly escape as soon as they can see brighter lights or reflected images on top of their tank.
Therefore, a broader and superficial tank will keep your fish sane and humble from getting excessive amounts of velocity in the direction of the floor.
Keep your fish tank liberated from any kind of impediments like decor objects. In case of arranging any surgical procedures, use only a trained veterinary expert.
How to catch platinum Arowana?
Platinum Arowana lives at the deep sea level because of their primitive traits. You need to have skilled and certified divers to catch this one.
Is Arowana edible?
Arowanas are tasty edible fish but only a few might be eating them because they are on the endangered list. Also, it’s very pricey, too hard to procure.
If it is perfectly cooked, though there are a lot of bones, its flesh becomes firm, flaky, moist, and tastes delicious. Many wouldn’t even imagine eating something right out of their aquarium as those pets can be dear to them.
Another thing is, eating or catching endangered fish without informing the responsive authorities is absolutely against the law. If one does so, it might cost him a fine.
How do Arowana breed?
It’s almost an impossible task breeding them in an aquarium. Most arowanas in Asia are bred in large fish farms with deep care by professionals.
Arowanas are mouthbrooders and males of this variety carry the eggs in their mouths till the fry is generated and their yolk sacs are entirely engrossed.
Unlike other Arowanas, Asian ones reach carnal maturity comparatively late, after ¾ years. The female ones produce quite large eggs but few in amount, around 30-100.
Moreover, there aren’t visible variations between male and female platinum Arowana. It causes great challenges in making attempts to breed these fish. The logical belief is the male mouth may be barely bigger with fish of the same size, age, etc.
Do Arowanas bite humans?
Arowanas have been known as aggressive creatures, which makes it essential to place them alone.
Particularly, during feeding, arowanas tend to bite the fingers of the one who tries to put their hands into the aquarium. Therefore, it is mandatory that one should maintain different techniques that will shield their fingers from Arowana bites.
How do they communicate?
Arowanas communicate intriguingly. It has two large whisker-like traits that are known as barbles. Placed at the base of their lower jaw, the barbels have a communicational sensation.
With the assistance of these barbles, the fish can prey on foods, even in the dark without any vision. Some particular muscles of this fish are also responsible for electronic signals that connect the fish.
In Conclusion:
Nature has gifted us with too many kinds of majestic fish all over the world. Several of them are much admired by fish buffs due to their diverse traits. One such is the Platinum Arowana.
What are your interests? Do you love their taste or appearance and presence at your home? It has to be the later one in this case, as any endangered creature should be left alone unless there’s a purpose to save the species by growing its numbers and later liberate it.
Even then, you need to be super rich to have the capability to adorn your aquarium with a Platinum Arowana. With proper care, one such wild, strong fish can accompany you for a lifetime. Though possessing this won’t be easy, and cost you a lot, it’ll be worthy enough.
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About Dawson Kutch
Dawson Kutch is a born and raised Alaskan who loves the outdoors and everything it has to offer. Kutch has been an avid hunter and fisher his entire life, and takes great pride in providing for himself and his family. While he enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, Kutch also has a passion for fashion and loves to stay up-to-date on the latest trends. In his free time, Kutch enjoys spending time with his wife and one young daughter. He is always looking to learn more and better himself, both as a writer and as a person.
