Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Silver Arowana
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
Also called Arawana, Dragon fish, Water monkey
From South America: the Amazon basin plus the Essequibo, Rupununi and Oyapock rivers. It is absent from most of the Rio Negro.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Seriously Fish lists 80 cm standard length and FishBase 90 cm total length; Wikipedia mentions reports of up to 1.2 m.
Looks how to spot one
Long, flattened body covered in very large, shiny scales
A sleek, blade-shaped fish with big mirror-like silver scales, an upturned mouth and two barbels at the tip of the lower jaw. The back and belly fins run far back and blend into the tail. Young fish show blue tones with yellow-orange markings before turning silver.12
Personality what they are like
Peaceful with fish too large to swallow and can live with carefully chosen big tankmates such as large catfish and similar-sized Cichla. Other surface-dwelling fish are best avoided unless the tank is huge.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An active surface swimmer that cruises just under the waterline watching for prey, and can leap well clear of the water to snatch insects and other food.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A heavy, tight-fitting lid is essential because it jumps powerfully. It needs a lot of open swimming room near the surface; Seriously Fish says it suits only public aquariums or the very largest home tanks.3
Home where they are happiest
A very large, long tropical freshwater aquarium. Seriously Fish gives 20-30 °C, pH 5.0-7.5 and 2-15 dGH; FishBase gives 24-30 °C. Keep the water surface open and the decor simple.31
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A predator. In the wild it eats insects, spiders, snails, crustaceans and small fish. In captivity offer varied meaty foods such as earthworms, prawns, mussels, fish strips and crickets rather than mammal or bird meat.23
Company who they like around
Can be kept with others of its kind, but in a limited space a pecking order develops, so most keepers house one with suitable large tankmates.3
The story where it all began
Cuvier described the silver arowana in 1829. It belongs to the bonytongue family, a very old group dating back to the Jurassic. It is an important food fish in the Amazon and became popular with aquarists as a legal alternative to the protected Asian arowana.132
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is nicknamed the 'water monkey' because it leaps out of the water to grab insects and other food from branches.2
- 2
The male carries the eggs and then the young fish in his mouth for several weeks.1
- 3
Its big armour-like scales led to the name 'dragon fish', after dragons in East Asian folklore.2
- 4
Its family, the bonytongues, goes back to the Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago.3
- 5
It can cope with low-oxygen water, which helps it in seasonally flooded forests.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FishBase
- Described by Cuvier in 1829; family Osteoglossidae (bonytongues).1
- IUCN Red List (via FishBase)
- Least Concern (assessed 2020). Not listed on CITES.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Silver Arowana. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Feedingevery day
- Water changeAbout 30 to 50% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseevery 2 weeks
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Silver Arowana?
Feed your Silver Arowana daily, as Furry Diary's starting plan suggests. Offer a variety of meaty foods like earthworms, prawns, and fish strips. Adjust portions so it eats within a few minutes.23 Furry Diary plan
What does a Silver Arowana eat, and what should it never eat?
Your Silver Arowana is a predator that enjoys earthworms, prawns, mussels, fish strips, and crickets. Never feed it mammal or bird meat, as these can cause health issues.23
How much space does a Silver Arowana need?
This active surface swimmer needs a very large, long tank with plenty of open swimming space near the surface. Seriously Fish recommends only the very largest home tanks or public aquariums. A heavy, tight-fitting lid is essential because it jumps powerfully.3
What temperature, light or water does a Silver Arowana need?
Keep the water temperature between 24-30°C, pH 5.0-7.5, and hardness 2-15 dGH. Provide a simple setup with an open water surface. Standard tropical aquarium lighting is fine.31
How often should I clean a Silver Arowana's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a weekly water change of 30-50%, along with weekly water testing. Rinse the filter every two weeks. This keeps the water quality high for your arowana. Furry Diary plan
Can a Silver Arowana live with others?
Yes, it can live with other large fish that it cannot swallow, such as large catfish or similar-sized cichlids. Avoid other surface-dwelling fish unless the tank is enormous. Most keepers house a single arowana with suitable tankmates to avoid pecking order issues.3
How long does a Silver Arowana live?
Lifespan varies widely depending on care; for a reliable estimate, ask a knowledgeable breeder or an exotic-pet vet. With excellent care, they can live many years.
Can I handle a Silver Arowana?
Handling is not recommended as this fish is powerful and can injure itself or you. It is best admired from outside the tank. Always use a net if needed, but avoid touching it.32
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, Arawana - FishBase fishbase.seused for origin, taxonomy, IUCN status, size, weight, appearance, temperature, breeding, fun facts
- Silver arowana - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, distribution, size, behaviour, diet, history, fun facts
- Osteoglossum bicirrhosum - Seriously Fish seriouslyfish.comused for tank, water parameters, diet, compatibility, lid, group keeping, history
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.