Arowana is a species of freshwater fish, now very rare, listed in the Red Book of Vietnam. The fish has an elongated and flattened body, a pair of long snout antennas, large glittering scales, long pectoral fins, dorsal and anal fins located posteriorly, the fish can reach a length of 60cm to 90cm in exceptional cases. Scale up to 120cm, weight 7.2kg. This is the most aggressive and long-lived fish of the aquarium species.
1. About biology
There are no documents to study the biology of this subject. Only a few observations on reproduction were made by H.M. Smith (1945) while studying sample fish in Thailand. Fish eggs are large in size and small in number, incubated in the mother's mouth until the eggs hatch.
2. Living environment.
Fish often live in fast-flowing rivers and streams, some fishermen think that the fish often hide in caves. Arowanas are omnivorous fish, their diet includes insects and some small fish and even frogs. In the wild, arowanas can jump out of the water quite high to grab their bait
3. Distribution
- Vietnam: Dong Nai (La Nga River, Tri An Lake, Cay Gao), Tay Ninh (Dau Tieng Lake, Saigon River).
- World: Thailand, Indonesia (Bocneo, Sumatra), and some countries in Africa and America.
4. Value
This is a species of unique scientific value and also for keeping as an aquarium fish. Currently, there are very few natural arowanas, most of the aquarium fish are of the F2 generation.
5. Current status
This is a very rare fish. According to the fishermen, this fish used to be caught occasionally but now almost no more. Since 1969, this fish has been protected by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
Can be considered level E. Threat level: Level E.
Currently, this fish species has only been found in La Nga river of Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai province on October 10, 1998 and Sai stream, Ba Hao sub-school of Ma Da Forest Enterprise on February 4, 2003.
6. Classification
Based on natural colors and according to the place where they are found, people divide them into many different categories. In the aquarium hobby, it is often distinguished by color and shape into 4 main types:
Kim Long too confused (this variety from Malaysia) international trading name is: Cross Back Goiden Maiaysia.
Blood dragon (this variety from Indonesia) international trading name is: Super Red.
Red Tail Golden Dragon (this variety is also from Indonesia) international trading name is: Red Tail Golden.
Dragon fruit (this variety is found in many places in tropical Asia) international trading name is: Green Arowana.
