Common name/s: Australian arowana, pearl arowana, jardini arowana.

Scientific name: Scleropages jardini

Family: Osteoglossidae

Origin: Tropical Australia

Maximum size: 24 " to 30"

Care: A big tank with large filtration is a must, minimum tank size for a adult fish should be 180 gallons (6x2x2'). Not really fussy of water parameters though the fish does preffer soft acidic water but as long as the extremes of hardness and pH are avoided the fish will be ok, a temperature of 24 to 30 centigrade is needed (75-86f). As with all large predatory fish weekly water changes of 30 to 40% are recomended. The fish is a aggressive predator so tankmates should be large and robust, other surface dwelling fish are not tolerated. The fish is a jumper so the tank needs a tight fitting heavy cover.

Feeding: All manor of live, frozen and dried foods are taken, fish and crickets are particularly favoured.

Breeding and sexing: Has not been bred in the home aquarium though it is known the species is a mouth brooder.

Comments: The species is the most aggressive of all arowana's, adult fish will harass all tankmates sometimes to the point of killing them. The fish is sometimes confused with the very similar looking but rarer Scleropages leichardtii, the care information is correct for both species.