Description

Tank Requirements

• Tank Size:
  • Juveniles: Minimum 150 gallons.
  • Adults: At least 300 gallons, with a minimum tank length of 6–8 feet to accommodate their size and swimming needs.
• Tank Setup:
  • Open swimming space is essential, with minimal decorations.
  • Add driftwood and floating plants to create a natural and subdued environment.
  • Ensure a secure, tightly fitting lid as arowanas are powerful jumpers.
• Substrate: Sand or a bare-bottom tank is preferred for ease of cleaning.
• Lighting: Moderate lighting to prevent stress while highlighting their coloration.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 75–86°F (24–30°C)
• pH: 5.5–7.0 (slightly acidic)
• Hardness: Soft to moderately soft water (2–10 dGH)
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm; nitrates should remain below 20 ppm.
• Water Flow: Low to moderate flow, replicating calm blackwater rivers.
• Water Changes: Weekly water changes of 20–30% are crucial for maintaining pristine water quality.

Diet

Albino Arowanas are carnivorous and thrive on a varied, high-protein diet:

• Staple Foods:
  • High-quality floating pellets designed for carnivorous fish.
• Live/Frozen Foods:
  • Small fish, shrimp, insects, earthworms, and krill.
  • Frozen foods such as silversides, bloodworms, and mysis shrimp.
• Occasional Treats:
  • Mealworms, crickets, or feeder fish (ensure they are healthy and disease-free).
• Feeding Schedule: Feed once or twice daily, ensuring they consume all food within 3–5 minutes.

Behavior and Compatibility

• Temperament:
  • Generally peaceful but predatory towards smaller fish.
  • They exhibit a calm demeanor but require ample space to reduce stress and territorial behavior.
• Tankmates:
  • Large, peaceful fish like stingrays, large catfish, or other similar-sized species.
  • Avoid small fish or aggressive species that may provoke stress or conflict.
• Activity Level: Active swimmers that occupy the upper water column.

Breeding

Breeding Albino Arowanas in captivity is extremely rare due to their size and specific requirements:

1. Spawning Setup:
   • Requires a very large tank or pond, with stable warm and acidic water conditions.
   • Provide an environment free of stressors and disturbances.
2. Mouthbrooding:
   • Males incubate eggs and fry in their mouths for up to 50 days.
3. Fry Care:
   • Once released, fry should be moved to a separate tank and fed live baby brine shrimp or finely powdered food.

Common Challenges

1. Tank Size: Their large adult size and swimming habits demand significant space.
2. Water Quality Sensitivity: Pristine water conditions are vital; fluctuations can lead to health issues.
3. Jumping: Their strong jumping abilities require a secure lid to prevent injuries or escape.
4. Albino Sensitivity: The albino variant is more sensitive to bright light and water quality changes, requiring extra care.

Interesting Facts

• The Albino Arowana is a genetic variation of the Brazilian Black Arowana, known for its rare and mesmerizing appearance.
• It uses its strong jumping ability to catch prey in the wild, such as insects and small animals.
• Albino Arowanas have poor eyesight compared to their non-albino counterparts, relying more on their lateral line to sense movement.

Care Summary

The Silver Alibino Arowana is a true showpiece fish, suitable for aquarists dedicated to meeting its unique needs. Its combination of beauty, grace, and rarity makes it a treasured addition to any large, well-maintained aquarium.