Arowana - Lucky Charm for Business?

Arowanas are freshwater bony fish of the family Osteoglossidae, also known as bonytongues. In this family of fish, the head is bony and the elongate body is covered by large, heavy scales, with a mosaic pattern of canals. The dorsal and the anal fins have soft rays and are long based, while the pectoral and ventral fins are small. The name "bonytongues" is derived from a toothed bone on the floor of the mouth, the "tongue", equipped with teeth that bite against teeth on the roof of the mouth. The fish can obtain oxygen from air by sucking it into the swim bladder, which is lined with capillaries like lung tissue. The arowana is an "obligatory air breather". (Source: Wikipedia)





Malaysian housewife Leong Yoke Ping bought a Sapphire Gold Arowana, otherwise known as a dragon fish, for $3,000, but says the cost was more than worth it.

"After we bought it, my husband's business has become better, jobs are pouring in, things are okay and smooth. It also brought a small fortune to me," Leong said, watching the fish swim in a customised tank at her home in a suburb of the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

Now, an investment firm is hoping the belief in luck brought by the dragon fish, which is shared by Leong and thousands like her, will pay off -- in the form of investment in 10-year bonds based on the Arowana.

"Many believe it is auspicious to keep a 'dragon' at home because it brings luck and wards off evil," said Michael Liu, chief executive officer of Arowana Venture Berhad, a Kuala Lumpur-based firm working with a fish farm in Bukit Merah, about 300 km (185 miles) from Kuala Lumpur.


Behavior and Food
Osteoglossids where Arowanas belong are carnivorous, often being specialized surface feeders. They are excellent jumpers; it has been reported that Osteoglossum species have been seen leaping more than 6 feet (almost 2 metres) from the water surface to pick off insects and birds from overhanging branches in South America, hence the nickname "water monkeys". Arowana species typically grow to around 2 to 3 feet in captivity.  In the wild, its food consist mainly insects, fishes, prawns, worms and small amphibians. Live food are preferred by arowana though they can be trained to accept other food.

Arowanas are solitary fish and only appreciate company while young; adults may show excessive dominance and aggression. Some compatible fish often partnered with this fish are clown knifefish, pacu, oscars, plecostomus, jaguar cichlids, green terrors, gar, siamese tigerfish (datnioides microlepis) and any other semi-aggressive fish that cannot fit in the arowana's mouth.

Muddy ponds are used as breeding and harvesting grounds where female fish lay eggs that are fertilised and scooped up by males for incubation in their mouths.

Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia have successfully bred the Asian Arowana in captivity and are the only countries allowed under international laws to export them in a global market that ranges between $250 million and $350 million, Liu said.



Tank Conditions When Breeding Arowana
Water condition such as temperature, ph, and condition are very important. Water temperature should be about 80F and the water PH at 7.

Type of Arowanas

• Asian Arowana - The Asian Arowana is the most expensive of all because they are near-extinct. They are a protected species and mainly from Thailand, Sumatra, and Malaysia. Asian Arowana has three main colors - Rusty Red, Gold and Green. Most businessmen prefer Gold Arowana as they believe that it will bring good luck.
• Australia Arowana - The Australian originated from Australia and look similar to Asian type. Pearl and Spotted Arowana are both Australian. They look the same except for the scales and colors.
• Silver Arowana - Silver Arowanas are the most common Arowana you can find in a lot of pet shops around the country, this type of fish you will not find in Walmart. It is also the cheapest and not protected. Silver Arowana have long fins with elongated tails, its whole body silver in color. It can mature to be very large in size around 45 inches long!
• Black Arowana - The Black Arowana is the same as Silver Arowana but its fin and tail are black-color. It is not a protected, slightly more expensive than a Silver Arowana. Black Arowana are also a bit harder to raise than the Silver Arowana.
• African Arowana - The African Arowana originated from Africa and is unlike any other Arowana. It looks slightly different then the rest due to an oblong shaped head. 

Tips and Key Points

1. They like to swim a lot. A slight sandy base is highly recommended.
2. When deciding on a tank for an Arowana, make sure it's large enough for the type of fish you purchase. They frequently require tanks from 50-120 gallons.
3. Variety in food is a MUST to avoid nutritional deficiency.
4. Small Arowana (below 2 inches should be fed three times a day, medium Arowana < 2-5 inches) twice a day and large Arowana (above 5 inches) once a day or alternate day.
5. High fat food like feeder fish should only be used sparingly to avoid drop eye problem.
6. Live food is generally more nutritious than its counterpart. However, the risk of introducing disease into the tank is increased when live food is used.
7. There are six known species of Arowanas, and all of them can grow to be more 36" long.
8. Arowana species live for many years.
9. The word Arowana is often spelled in alternate ways such as Arowana, Arawana, and Aruana. 
10. Sometimes Arowana have a budging eye problem. To prevent this, allow a small colored ping pong ball float in your tank. The Arowana will love it.
11. Make sure to have a tight fitting lid, they can tend to jump a lot. 
12. Don't put arowanas in with other fish.

  Below are some pictures of different Arowana:

Sapphire Gold Arowana

 Red-tailed Gold Arowana

Red Grade Arowana

Red Arowana

Green Arowana

I used to breed Flowerhorn fishes before as well as pacu and oscar because these varieties grow big in a well-sized aquarium and they have different traits and behavior. They could not be contained in the same aquarium as they tend to fight and beat the other variety. The Flowerhorn is one among the fiercest variety of fish that I ever had.

I will soon make an article about Flowerhorn for they are also known to be a lucky charm for good luck and wealth.