Dragon Fish

Fishing Arowana, Fresh Water Dragon Fish

2017-02-26T16:16:00.002-08:00

Arowana (South American) Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Osteoglossum ferreirai Arowana Description Arowanas are a family of long bony fishes found throughout the world. There are several species but this page will focus on the two found in South America - the Silver Arowana and the Black Arowana. They are similar in appearance and both reach over three feet in length. The Silvers grow a little faster than the Blacks but they have similar diets and habits. They are found in the Amazon and its tributaries. They are popular in the aquarium trade and are a relatively hardy and easy to keep fish if you have a large enough tank. See below for a pic of one I had in an aquarium for a few years. Arowanas are surface oriented fish with eyes near the tops of their heads and they feed on things near the surface of the water. On occasion they will even leap out of the water to snatch small birds and insects. Their diet consists of smaller fish, insects, birds, and basically any other small creature that swims by and fits in their mouths. Arowanas are generally caught as by catch by fishermen fishing for Peacock Bass. When hooked they put up a spirited fight for their size, generally leaping out of the water multiple times. They have tiny raspy teeth that won't easily bite through your line. Despite their large scales and bony appearance they are actually quite tasty. Arowana Tackle When fishing for Arowanas you can use fairly light spinning or baitcast tackle but since they generally live near other larger species like Peacock Bass you probably wouldn't want to. I like to fish with a 25lb fluorocarbon leader but I'm not sure it's necessary. I like the peace of mind of greater abrasion resistence though. Great reels for these are the Daiwa Steez and Daiwa Certate. Click here to see tackle recommendations. Arowana Techniques Arowanas are caught on both lures and bait, although in the Amazon they are primarily fished with lures. They can often be seen at the surface under the cover of overhanging trees and bushes. Arowana Lures Because of their surface orientation, small poppers work well. Shallow running jerkbaits such as the Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow also work well when fished erratically. Arowanas are not shy and will generally attack most lures that resemble small fish and are twitched in front of their faces. Arowana Baits I have not done any bait fishing for Arowana. Small fish probably work well. Where to get the big Arowana The Amazon river tributaries are where you get the big ones. The main river does not have a good fishery and many of the tributaries do not either. The best fisheries are generally slow-moving "blackwater" tributaries. You get a very short window in most areas to fish; usually just a few weeks per year. Most of the year the water level is too high and the water extends into the jungle. The fish head in there and become very spread out and very hard to catch. A good operator will cancel a trip at this point rather than let anglers suffer through poor fishing. The dry season concentrates the fish in a smaller area and makes them much easier to target. However, the dry season can (and nearly always does) vary from year to year in a particular area and rains during the dry season can raise water levels and make fishing tough. This fishery is tough to time but when you do it right it's amazing. The Amazon fisheries are generally accessed in one of three ways: fixed lodge, mothership, or floating tents/camping. The fixed lodges can offer good fishing but if water levels are off, which they often are, you could be stuck catching few if any fish. Motherships offer more mobility to go where water levels are optimal, although in very dry conditions they may not be able to access all areas. Floating tents/camping offers the most mobility and therefore the best shot at hitting things at the right time. If the fishing is not good, you can move. There is really no way to fish these remote areas on the cheap as many are in restricted Indian reservations and you could be in serious trouble if you just tried to go in there on your own. In general, the closer to the headwaters you get the less water fluctuation there is. Guyana is supposed to have a good Arowana fishery but it is not a very developed destination.

Harvesting Panda Red Arowanas

2015-10-14T22:35:00.000-07:00

Despite being caught in a bad traffic jam on my way to Panda Aquatic Centre, it was all but a fine day for a visit to the countryside. The skies were clear and the air was fresh after a brief spell of rain the wee morning hours. Today, I would be witnessing the harvesting of the red arowanas from Panda Aquatic Centre.

Workers getting ready for the harvest.

I met up with Mr. Kan from Panda Aquatic Centre and was briefed by him on the schedule for the day. Both his red arowanas and his crossback arowanas will be harvested today.

Mr.Kan, CEO of Panda doing his harvest ritual. Just kidding,

he is actually looking out for snakes for the safety of his workers.

As we walked towards the breeding ponds, his workers were already in the thick of the action. They were walking cautiously in the waist deep waters, planting the necessary nettings and bamboo poles in place to round up the red arowanas.

Workers wading slowly through the chest deep waters to guide the arowanas into the

specially designed net. Mr. Kan beating the edge of the banks to urge the arowanas along.

Although Mr Kan did not enter the breeding pond, he was also doing his part along the edge of breeding pond with a wooden pole, striking the grass to ward off any snakes that might hurt his workers. As the workers slowly pulled the net along the pond to round up the arowanas, Mr. Kan then used his wooden pole to beat gently around the edge of the pond to urge the arowanas into the net.

The workers carefully ensuring that none of the arowanas were able to escape.

Every arowana in the pond must be checked for eggs or fries.

While I have witnessed numerous harvesting of arowanas, each harvesting is quite unique. The harvesting procedures are quite similar but you never know what to expect in each harvesting. Beneath the murky waters of the breeding pond are actually numerous productive red arowanas, each capable of producing at least 20 fries! This is already quite a feat as red arowanas are often reported to have a lower productivity. The secret to having such a productive pool of breeding arowanas is probably known to the farmer but from what I have observed in Panda Aquatic Centre, Mr. Kan had probably done his research and set up his breeding ponds to simulate the natural environment of the red arowanas, ensuring that the right atmosphere and environment are present to boost his arowanas� productivity! Not only were his arowanas productive, I was equally impressed with the physical appearance of his arowanas. Each red arowana displayed a beautiful coat of red scales. I would probably have to bring my water parameters test kits the next time I visit the breeding ponds to find out what is the secret to having such productive and beautiful red arowanas!

Hauling the net partially out of the pond.

When the red arowanas are hauled up from the water and inspected for fries, I could sense the great expectation and anticipation in everyone. There was tense concentration as the worker pried open the arowana�s powerful jaws to introduce the numerous fries to this new world!

Special bamboo sticks were strategiclly placed to form a barricade to prevent the arrowanas from

leaping over the net. So far, this is only the easy part. Now, let's get to the business at hand!

Catching and inspecting all the arowanas in the pond. Not an easy task if you have slippery and strong jumping customers.

The same procedures of laying the nets and cornering the arowanas were repeated in the next pond. This time, the golden crossback arowanas will be harvested.

A male red arowana is slowly coaxed into the net.

The well-trained and experienced workers soon identified the male brooders. With a firm grip, the male brooder�s jaws were unlocked easily and this time, close to twenty crossback fries were released! It was quite a bountiful harvest, wasn�t it?

Gently prying open the mouth to remove the fries. An electronic scanner is also used to

scan the tag number of the parent fish. A really fine specimen of red arowana. 1st of the day.

Reading out the tag number to AVA officials witnessing the harvest. Beautiful red arowana indeed.

Over twenty fries measuring about 1 inch each came from the first Red Arowana.

Another male brooder spotted! This piece is a real red shocker!

This time, there were over 40 fries taken from the brooder!

As well, some were already swimming about freely.

Three inch fry

A real catch of the day. Quality all over.

3 inchers up close.

Photos by West

Article by NSK

Originally published in www.arowanaclub.com

Inspiration for taking Care Adorable RED AROWANA

2015-10-09T17:46:00.000-07:00

I wish to share these 2 pictures of a beautiful red arowana, hopefully you will be inspired to keep arowanas.

RED AROWANA

Pearl Rowana, Rare Arowana in Tank- How old ? (Part 2)

2014-12-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

I had earlier written an article titled "Arowana Breeding-How They Keep Their Eggs-How Old? " on how old an arowana can get when kept in captivity at this post.

Recently, someone from our facebook page posted his pearl arowana aka Jardini, which he had kept since 1998! That's a long 16 years!

Treasures of Kalimantan : Dragon Fish that being Rare

2014-12-08T01:49:00.000-08:00

For a long time ago, the arowana or siluk Or Kelisa was not hunted by the villagers that lived in numerous villages that dotted the numerous rivers and lakes in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

This changed when people believed that arowanas would bring good luck to their owners and soon this fish became 1 of the most expensive aquarium fish as demand outstripped supply. In their natural habitat, arowana population plummeted because of poaching for the aquarium trade and is now being classified under the red list of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

A matured red arowana

When the aquarium trade on arowanas first started, it was thought that arowanas were harvested from Kalimantan will always turn red or orange when the arowanas mature. However we now know that this is not true although the young arowanas had red fins and look very alike. The arowanas from Western Kalimantan along the Kapuas River region will turn orange or red when mature while those from Southern Kalimantan along the Bajarmasin region will remain silvery with yellow tails.

A matured yellow tail arowana

Naturally, differences in the colour of the arowanas also meant a difference in their prices. However, it would be difficult to identify a young red arowana from a young yellow tail as their young had similar features and red fins. The redness in the yellow tail arowana's fins would disappear only as the arowana matures. To differentiate between the 2, red arowanas from Kapuas region were called grade 1 red while those from Banjarmasin were called grade 2 red or Banjar red or 1.5 red.

Land before time, The Early History Of Existence Dragon Fish

2013-05-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

More than a million years ago, the islands of Sumatran, Java and Borneo and other smaller Indonesian islands were connected to Peninsular Malaysia on mainland Asia, forming the Sundaland. Geographical research has shown that Sundaland would include the southern tip of Thailand, the whole of Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra and Java.

Sea levels were significantly lower but suddenly rose during the Pleistocene. The connections to the mainland were covered by waters, leading to the formation and isolation of the islands.

Therefore, would it have been possible that the major rivers in modern Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand and Cambodia were connected to form a major river system in Sundaland that hosted arowanas in its numerous rivers and lakes? As sea level rose, these rivers and lakes were disconnected when the land bridges disappeared. Could it be that the arowanas in each isolated river and lake further evolved to become the different arowana varieties that we know today? (hint: green arowanas are known to be found in Thailand, Cambodia and Tasek Bera Lake, Endau River and Trengganu drainage area).

Disposing your arowanas

2013-04-13T09:28:00.000-07:00


A silver arowana in a man made pond.

Many people bought young arowanas when they were merely 6 or 7 inches long to raise as pets as they believed arowanas to be auspicious and beneficial for their feng shui. These infant arowanas eventually grew up (see 50 days record for growing arowana from baby) , up to 3ft long and often require bigger tanks as the continued to grow. In land scarce Singapore where majority of the population lived in HDB flats, having big 5ft tanks to house a 3ft arowana can be quite a challenge. It could get to a point where desperate owners tried to sell or even release them in manmade ponds or reservoirs. In many cases, these fully grown but abandoned arowanas thrived and continued to breed.

I personally do not think these arowanas should not be released in the wild or in reservoirs as these are not native to Singapore. They could be donated to the Singapore Zoo especially so when the River Safari (a river themed wildlife park) has recently opened. This would be a more humane way of disposing your pets rather than to dump them into the wild and upset the ecological balance.

A pair of yellow tail arowanas in the Singapore Zoo

Of course, you can also choose to sell them off in your friendly LFS or over Ebay :P

A beautiful golden crossback arowana

2012-11-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

hello blogger, I haven't been updating Arowana on this blog due to work and family commitment. Recently a friend told me that his arowanas have started to breed. He asked if I would be keen to buy a few to keep but unfortunately, my new 4room flat is too small to accommodate a 5ft tank. During renovation, I had intended a place to slot in a new 5foot tank but my dear wife bought a piano and it fitted nicely in there. There's actually another place in the house for a fish tank but I decided to leave it empty.

Anyway here's a beautify golden crossback arowana from my friend.

Golden Crossback Arowana

Salinity Refractometer (Hydrometer)

2012-10-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

Maintaining a stable salinity is one of the most important aspects of reef tank husbandry. Gone are the days when the serious hobbyist relied on Hydrometers to keep tabs on this crucial parameter. Simply put, the unit will self-adjust all samples to the proper reading temperature, increasing the ease of use. Additionally, the insulated, non-slip rubber grip will keep external sources of heat, such as hand warmth, from interfering with an accurate sample reading. Robust Construction VertexTM Refractometers have an all-metal body housing for added durability. A large rubber hood both provides additional protection to the eyepiece and prevents foreign light from entering the unit body. Easy to Use It takes less than a minute to use the VertexTM Refractometer. Simply place a few drops of water on the refracting lens and look through the eyepiece and take note of the boundary between blue and white. That's it! You now have an accurate measurement of your tank's salinity. Value Protect your investment. Here some example salinity refractometer you can see:

Vertex Sallinity Refractometer with Auto Temp. Calibration

Clear View oversized, easy to read display.
Automatic Temperature Calibration (ATC).
Affordable and more accurate than a hydrometer.
Total length 7"
Gradient scale (±1.0% salinity and ±0.001 specific gravity

Retail Salinity refractometer RHSN-10ATC

Measuring Ranges: 0-100 ppt of NaCl and 1.000 to 1.070 Specific Gravity (0-10%)
Divisions: 1 ppt / 0.001 Specific Gravity
Accuracy: ±1 ppt / 0.001 Specific Gravity (±0.10%)
Included:Pipette + 10pcs pipettes more for FREE * Operations manual * Mini-screw driver
with an additional features of BUILT-IN CALIBRATION KNOB

PinPoint Salinity Monitor

PINPOINT® Salinity Monitor will accurately and immediately measure the amount of salt in any marine or freshwater system. The reading is fully temperature compensated, which is difficult or impossible with nearly any commercial hydrometer. The conversion chart will precisely show the corresponding density (specific gravity) or % salt (refractometer) values. This monitor is especially useful to determine the low level of salt required for Koi, whether in an aquarium or outdoor pond. 9-volt battery not included.

Arowana diet menu

2012-10-06T18:51:00.000-07:00

To arowana young age, size 10-15 cm, give hongkong caterpillars that feed in combination with young crickets typically no more than 1 cm. The food is done 3 times a day, ie morning, noon and night. Do not eat too much, just 3-4 and 1 tail worm tail crickets crickets every meal for digestion is working normally. Arowana small size tend to be more greedy. So if the food provided is not controlled can occur arowana choke / spit out food again / damage to the digestive tract.

To arowana 15-25 cm size, simply by extending the meal portions and replace the combination of a caterpillar menu german / bamboo worms and crickets. Occasionally can be interspersed with frogs, toads with a note that the maximum size of 2.5 cm.

To arowana size of 25 cm and above, can begin to give a good menu for color development and the formation of the body, such as caterpillars german / bamboo caterpillars, frogs, centipedes, shrimp and crickets.

See the complete menu HERE

Aquarium Thermometer

2012-10-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

Temperature for arwana aquarium should be controled between range of 27-34 degrees cel, but sometimes if the weather is changing and causing the temperature in the water tank down. So Fish can be attacked by various diseases. Therefore it need temperature controller, some product we suggest, are:

(Click picture for more details product information)

TOM Aquarium Temp Alert Fahrenheit Digital Thermometer

Audible and LED alarm.
Displays both aquarium water temperature and room temperature.
Comes with four alert features.
Provides reliable protection to monitor high and low temperatures.
Easy to read digital display

Marina ThermoSensor In-Out Thermometer

Provides both inside and outside aquarium temperature readings
Accurate, easy-to-read digital display
Can be attached anywhere on the aquarium
Velcro mount for easy installation; Battery included
Contains temperature probe

Horizontal Aquarium Thermometer

Accurate.
Easy-to-read.
Mounts on the outside of your aquarium.
New movable thermometer.
All items are brand new, never worn and never used. We guarantee the authenticity of all items.

Parasite Remover in Aquarium

2012-10-06T18:10:00.003-07:00

Making Arwana health and growth well is not too dificult but not easy enough. There are some parameter that should be controlled, i.e. Water PH , Water Temperature , Clean Water , Free Ich /Fungus/ Protozoans / Dinoflagellates water. and many more..

Here some tools or medicine you shuld have to prevent arwana from disease:

Parasite Remover

In Aquarium, sometimes arwana getting ill caused by parasite, here some medical treatment product :

Tetra 77346 Parasite Guard, 8-Tablets

Clears parasites fast

Parasite guard removes external and internal parasites from fish

Treats flukes, internal worms, lice, anchor worms, and flagellates such as hexamita or spironucleus associated with hole in the head diseases

Seachem ParaGuard 100ml

Fresh or saltwater use

Parasite control

Great in hospital and receiving tanks

Prevent Ich Disease Preventative - 16 oz.

Prevent Ich is an 100% organic fish disease inhibitor and preventive that helps prevent diseases caused by ich, fungus, protozoans and dinoflagellates. It is safe for use in freshwater aquariums, saltwater (including reef and live rock)aquariums, and ornamental ponds. It is non-toxic to all biological filters, fishes, amphibians and turtles.

Become An Arowana Fish Breeder, You Should Have To Prepare This

2012-05-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

There has been an upsurge in the number of Arowana fish breeders.

With the high demand for Asian Arowanas, it seems to the unwary that it is profitable venture to be an Arowana fish breeder.

Southeast Asian countries have been setting up Arowana farms so they can breed more Arowanas and to answer the call of CITES to propagate the Asian breed since it has placed it under the endangered species list.

With the high demand for Asian Arowanas, being an Arowana fish breeder seems to be a likely choice to be a successful business venture.

The trade for Arowana fish pays handsomely well. Before day dreaming of the huge profits you might make , it is better to get your feet on the ground first and think where would you get your venture capital considering starting an Arowana farm demands a high amount of capital.

See how Arowana Breeding Here
See First 50 day Picture of Arowana Grow Up From Baby Here

Is The Risk Worth The Effort

You will need a lot of ponds, with a minimum of 20 to 40 adult Asian Arowanas that cost between 5,000 to 10,000 dollars. When corresponding with other Arowana fish breeders, they are in consensus that the first year, you would be lucky to breakeven since some of the ponds won�t yield any harvest and you need to be patient to wait for it to be productive.

Arowana Pond Breeder

If you happen to manage to acquire some venture capital, then the first thing you should know is that Arowana fish breeders and farmers keep the adult Arowana in large shoals and mud ponds. Arowana fish breeders need to check the male Arowana from time to time if they are brooding eggs or fry.

If you want to be an Arowana fish breeder, you must take great pains in learning how to handle this majestic fish. You must know how to handle the mouth of the male Arowana fish and praise it open to increase the possibility of the fry dropping out. The male Arowana would be sent back to the pond after the fry is collected from its mouth so it can start mating again.

An exceptional Arowana have the special skill to spot a male arowana brooding eggs and fry. You must have the capability to notice if their buccal cavities are quite apart because this means there are 10 to 20 eggs in each clutch dropping out of their mouths.

It would take weeks for the eggs to hatch, upon hatching a 1-centimeter long fry show up on each egg, and after months pass by, the fish would reach a size of 2-3 centimeters. After a few months, the male Arowana would release them and as a responsible Arowana fish breeder, you need take away the offspring and rear the fry in separate tanks.

Then you have to care and nurture them for a year before you can start earning profits from them.

Arowana Fish Price

2012-05-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wonder why Arowana fish prices are so exorbitant?

Arowana pet owners claim that the exorbitant Arowana fish price is worth it considering the majestic beauty and grace that Asian Arowanas possess.

The impressive Golden Arowana is simply breath taking that it leaves its audience in awe.

Golden Arowana Fish

The Red Golden Arowana is simply spectacular by its shade alone, and with its effortless glide, it has been given the distinction of �king of the aquariums.�

Why Are The Arowana Fish So Expensive

Arowana fish price commands a steep amount because of its rarity. When the Asian Arowanas made it to CITES� endangered species list, the prices become inflated due to strict trade and shipping regulations.

Another factor why the Arowana fish prices are so high is it�s very difficult to breed them. Breeders can only produce 30 to 60 fishes since not all of the Arowanas can produce eggs. The natural environment or habitat to produce Arowanas exist only in few Asian countries hence the demand is greater than supply.

Where Does The Arowana Come From?

The rivers of Borneo are the natural habitat of super red arowanas. A lot of arowana farms have sprung up there and all of them agree that breeding super red arowonas outside of its natural habitat is next to impossible.

The Siak River on the other hand is where the Golden Mahato arowana resides and they have similar golden scales to that of a Cross Back Golden Arowana that are being reproduced in arowana fish farms of Malaysia.

The current record holder for the highest price tag belongs to the Platinum Arowana.

Platinum Arowana Fish

The arowana fish price for this beauty is in the range of $80,000 to $365,000 dollars. That price alone can give you a house and a car. This Arowana is virtually white with no other colors present, not even on the dorsal surface. Aro Dynasty, the owners of this rare breed have turned down offers for the Platinum Arowana and they have currently taken the fish off the market.

One of the leading reasons why the Arowana fish price is at these levels is because of the mythical beliefs that are attached to these fish.

The Chinese believed that the Arowana is a fish of prosperity and luck. Besides prosperity and good fortune, the Arowana can also sense incoming misfortune. The Arowanas would rather die themselves so they can absorb the misfortune that would befall on their owners.

Add them all up, rarity, hard to breed, and mythical powers, and it equals to a very high Arowana fish price.

Budidaya Ikan Arwana

2011-10-10T10:27:00.000-07:00

Arwana termasuk famili ikan �karuhun�, yaitu Osteoglasidae atau famili ikan �bony-tongue� (lidah bertulang), karena bagian dasar mulutnya berupa tulang yang berfungsi sebagai gigi. Arwana memiki berbagai julukan, seperti: Ikan Naga (Dragon Fish), Barramundi, Saratoga, PlaTapad, Kelesa, Siluk, Kayangan, Peyang, Tangkelese, Aruwana, atau Arowana, tergantung dari tempatnya.

Bentuk dan penampilan arwana termasuk cantik dan unik. Tubuhnya memanjang, ramping, dan �stream line�, dengan gerakan renang sangat anggun. Arwana di alam mempunyai variasi warna seperti hijau, perak, atau merah. Pada bibir bawahnya terdapat dua buah sungut yang berfungsi sebagai sensor getar untuk mengetahui posisi mangsa di permukaan air. Sungut ini termasuk dalam kriteria penilaian keindahan ikan.

Potensi pertumbuhan arwana cukup besar, terutama dengan pemberian pakan berkadar protein tinggi. Pertumbuhan arwana di akuarium mencapai 60 cm, sedangkan di alam mencapai lebih dari 90 cm. Jenis arwana asal Amerika Selatan dapat tumbuh hingga 270 cm.

Arwana merupakan ikan perenang atas (surface feeder), ditunjukkan oleh betuk mulut. Di alam mereka berenang di dekat permukaan untuk berburu mangsa. Arwana dapat menerima segala jenis pakan untuk ikan karnivora, tetapi seringkali mereka jadi sangat menyukai salah satu jenis pakan saja, dan menolak jenis lainnya. Sebagai ikan peloncat, arwana di alam bisa menangkap serangga yang hinggap di ranting ketinggian 1-2 meter dari permukaan air. Maka pemeliharaan dalam akuarium harus ditutup dengan baik.

Arwana merupakan ikan tangguh yang dapat hidup hingga setengah abad. Permintaan yang tinggi dengan ketersediaan alam yang terbatas menyebabkan eksploitasi di alam dibatasi. CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) menetapkan bahwa ikan Arwana Asia sebagai ikan yang mendapat perlindungan tertinggi. Berbagai jenis Arwana Asia antara lain:

1. Merah
Arwana merah berasal dari berbagai tempat di Propinsi Kalimantan Barat, seperti dari Sungai Kapuas dan Danau Sentarum yang dikenal sebagai habitat dari Super Red (Chili dan Blood Red). Perairan ini merupakan wilayah hutan gambut yang menciptakan lingkungan primitif bagi ikan purba tersebut. Akan tetapi kondisi mineral, lingkungan air gambut (black water), dan banyaknya cadangan pangan yang memadai telah mengkondisikan pengaruh yang baik terhadap evolusi warna pada ikan yang bersangkutan. Pengaruh geografis itu juga menyebabkan terciptanya variasi yang berbeda terhadap morfologi ikan ini, seperti badan yang lebih lebar, kepala berbentuk sendok, warnah merah yang lebih intensif, dan warna dasaryang lebih pekat.

Warna merah penuh tampak pada sirip ikan muda, pada bibir dan juga sungut. Menjelang dewasa, warna merah akan muncul di berbagai bagian tubuh lainnya, terutama pada tutup insang dan pinggiran sisik, sehingga tubuh ikan terlihat berwarna merah.

Arwana merah dikelompokkan dalam 4 varietas, yaitu Merah Darah (Blood Red), Merah Cabai (Chili Red), Merah Orange (Orange Red), dan Merah Emas (Golden Red). Keempat varietas ini secara umum diberi julukan Super Red atau Merah Grade Pertama (First Grade Red), meskipun dalam perkembangannya super red lebih merujuk pada Merah Cabai dan Merah Darah. Sedangkan dua varietas terakhir lebih sering di anggap sebagai super red dengan grade lebih rendah.

Perbedaan antara varitas merah cabai dan merah darah dijabarkan pada tabel berikut : Arwana Merah Cabai Arwana Merah Darah
Tampilan Warna Seperti merah cabai Seperti merah darah
Bentuk fisik Bentuk tubuh lebih lebar, kepala berbentuk sendok lebih panjang dan lebih ramping
Lebar tubuh relatif tetap hingga menjelang pangkal ekor, bingkai sisik yang lebih tebal menyempit secara gradual
Warna mala Mata merah dan lebar sehingga pinggiran matanya seakan menyentuh bagian atas kepala dan bagian rahang bawahnya mata lebih putih dan lebih kecil
Bentuk ekor Seperti intan (diamond) Seperti kipas
Warna pada usia muda cenderung memiliki warna dasar hijau dengan kilap metalik yang pekat memiliki kilap lebih lemah dan cenderung mirip dengan RTG muda; Bentuk tubuh lebih bulat
Pertumbuhan Lebih lambat Lebih cepat

Ciri morfologi fisik kedua jenis tersebut sudah nampak saat masih muda sehingga dapat dijadikan pedoman dalam membedakan kedua varitas tersebut.

Perkembangan warna antara Merah Cabai dan Merah Darah diketahui juga berbeda. Perbedaan waktu dalam pencapaian warna merah penuh adalah 1-2 tahun. Namun kedua varitas melalui tahapan perkembangan warna yang relatif sama yaitu melalui transisi warna orange. Beberapa arwana merah mempunyai warna pucat hingga sampai 8 tahun, baru kemudian berubah ke merah penuh dalam waktu 1 bulan. Menduga potensi arwana merah memerlukan kesabaran dan usaha yang diperoleh dari pengalaman dan kesabaran.

Varietas Merah Orange (Orange Red) merupakan salah satu varietas yang umum dijumpai. Pada saat dewasa sisik tubuhnya menunjukkan warna orange. Dibandingkan dengan Chilli Red dan Blood Red, sirip dan ekor varietas ini tidak semerah keduanya.
Merah Emas (Golden red) merupakan varietas warna lain yang umum dijumpai disamping merah orange (Orange Red). Varietas ini merupakan varietas dengan grade paling rendah. Setelah dewasa warna badannya hanyalah emas kekuningan. Warna bibir dan sirip tidak semerah Super Red, tetapi berwarna merah muda atau merah jambu.

2. Golden (Cross Back, Cross Back Golden,CBG)
Golden varietas cross back merupakan bagian dari varietas arwana golden. Varietas ini dijumpai di berbagai tempat di Malaysia, seperti Perak, Trengganu, Danau Bukit Merah dan Johor. Oleh karena itu, mereka sering diberikan julukan sesuai dengan tempat asalnya, seperti Golden Pahang, Bukit Merah Blue atau Malaysian Gold. Disebut sebagai cross back, karena varietas ini saat dewasa memiliki warna emas penuh hingga melewati punggungnya. Varietas ini harganya relatif lebih mahal bahkan paling tinggi dibandingkan lainnya karena termasuk jarang ditemui.

CBG dibagi menjadi beberapa kelas berdasarkan warna dasar sisik, yaitu Purple-Based (warna dasar ungu), Blue-Based (warna dasar biru), Gold Based (warna dasar emas), dan Silver-Based (warna dasar perak). Arwana Gold dengan warna dasar emas diketahui dapat mencapai warna penuh pada usia lebih muda dibandingkan dengan varietas lain.

3. Golden (Ekor Merah, Red Tail Golden, RTG).
Merupakan verietas dari arwana golden dan sering disebut sebagai Arwana Golden Indonesia (Indonesian Golden Arwana). Varietas ini dijumpai di daerah Pekan Baru, Sumatera. Berbeda dengan Cross Back Golden (CBG), warna emas pada verietas ini tidak akan berkembang hingga melewati punggung namun hanya akan mencapai baris ke empat sisik (baris sisik dihitung dari bawah, perut), atau lebih baik bisa mencapai baris ke lima. Seperti halnya verietas cross back, warna dasar sisik RTG bisa biru, hijau, atau emas. Begitu pula dengan warna bibir, ekor, dan sirip, kedua varietas ini memiliki keragaan yang sangat mirip. RTG muda memiliki warna lebih kusam dibandingkan dengan varietas cross back muda.

RTG boleh dikatakan lebih tahan banting dibandingkan dengan CBG dapat tumbuh lebih besar, dan juga lebih agresif. Jumlahnya di alam relatif lebih banyak dibandingkan dengan CBG, meskipun demikian tetap merupakan varietas yang dilindungi CITES.

CBG sekilas mirip dengan ikan arowana golden red yang berasal dari negara kita. Perbedaan yang sangat mencolok dapat dilihat jika ukuran ikan sudah agak besar dengan ukuran 20 cm lebih. Pada CBG warna emas menutupi seluruh tubuh sampai ke bagian punggung ikan ditutupi oleh ring yang berwarna keemasan. Sedangkan pada golden red (RTG) punggung nya tidak. berwarna keemasan tapi tetap hitam (kelabu).

Membedakan CBG dan RTG pada ukuran kecil (10-12 cm) sulit dilakukan dan perlu kehati-hatian. Perbedaan harga juga sangat mencolok. Harga CBG ukuran 12 cm dihargai lebih dari 10 juta, ukuran 20-25 cm berkisar 15-25 juta. Golden red berukuran 12 cm dihargai 2 juta, sedangkan ukuran 20-25 cm dihargai 2.5-3.5 juta.

4. Arwana Hijau
Arwana hijau ditemukan di Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Komboja, dan juga di beberapa tempat di Indonesia. Variasi penampakandan warna bisa saja ditemukan di masing-masing daerah. Meskipun demikian secara umum dapat dikatakan bahwa pada umumnya berwarna kelabu kehijauan dangan pola garis-garis berwarna gelap pada ekor. Kepala dan mulutnya lebih besar dan lebih membulat dibandingkan dengan jenis arwana asia lainnya.

5. Banjar Merah
Banjar Merah boleh dikatakan merupakan varietas arwana merah kelas 2 dan diketahui bukan merupakan strain murni arwana merah. Penampakannya ditunjukkan oleh warna sirip yang orange pucat, ekor berwarna orange atau kuning, dan tidak memiliki warna merah di badan maupun di pipi. Sepintas Banjar Merah muda sangat mirip dengan Arwana Merah muda, sehingga tidak jarang hal ini dapat mengecoh para hobiis baru. Banjar dicirikan juga oleh bentuk kepala yang cenderung membulat dengan mulut yang tidak terlalu lancip. Perbedaan lain dapat dilihat pada tabel berikut : Banjar Merah Arwana Merah Muda
Warna sirip warna sirip yang lebih muda atau cenderung orange-merah pucat. merah pekat merata pada seluruh permukaan
Warna sisik Kuning atau kehijauan Mengkilap
Bingkai sirip dan tutup insang Pink tua atau seperti karat, setelah dewasa menjadi jingga atau merah Tidak ada tampilan seperti pada Banjar

Apabila ragu dalam memilih arwana, bawalah seorang yang telah berpengalaman memelihara arwana atau belilah arwana yang telah disertifikasi dan memiliki sertifikat yang sah.

6. RED SPOTTED PEARL VS JARDINI
Arowana irian (jardini) ada 2 macam. Yang umum ditemui berwarna dasar hijau dan bermutiara merah. Jenis jardini lain berwarna dasar hitam dan bermutiara emas serta lebih sulit ditemui.

Di Australia ditemukan pula jardini tipe 1 (warna dasar hijau, mutiara merah) yang disebut red spotted pearl (Scleropages leichardty). Cross back dan golden red; red spotted pearl dan jardini adalah kerabat, dengan perbedaan lingkungan yang mempengaruhi performa.

Perbedaan yang sangat mencolok adalah pada red spotted pearl, mutiara merah bertaburan secara mencolok pada tubuhnya. Sedangkan pada arowana jardini di mutiara di badannya tidak semencolok arowana red spotted pearl dari australia. Harga jardini (mutiara merah,warna dasar hijau) 12-15 cm dijual dengan kisaran harga 60-80 ribu rupiah, sedangkan arowana red spotted pearl karena langka di Indonesia dihargai 1.3-1.5 juta rupiah.

Arwana tahan terhadap serangan berbagai penyakit. Tetapi sensitif terhadap perubahan kualitas air, terutama terhadap peningkatan kadar amonia, nitrit dan nitrat.

Parameter Air.
pH. Arwana dapat hidup pada selang pH cukup lebar. Namun disarankan agar mereka dipelihara sesuai dengan kondisi aslinya di alam yaitu pada selang pH netral sampai agak masam (pH 6.0 -7.0).

Kesadahan. Arwana berasal dari perairan dengan kesadahan rendah, oleh karena itu direkomendasikan untuk memeliharanya pada selang kesadahan ini (GH 8�). Arwana silver dapat hidup pada kisaran GH 4-10.

Temperatur. Arwana direkomendasikan untuk diperlihara pada selang suhu 26 � 30 �C. Seperti halnya jenis ikan yang lain, hindari terjadinya perubahan suhu mendadak. Perubahan suhu mendadak dapat menyebabkan shock pada ikan yang bersangkutan, dan dapat memicu berbagai masalah. Suhu terlalu tinggi untuk jangka waktu lama diketahui dapat menyebabkan tutup insang menggulung, hal ini tentu akan sangat menggangggu keindahan ikan tersebut.

Pencahayaan. Sebaiknya di area terang tanpa sinar matahari secara langsung.

Arwana bukan termasuk ikan yang sulit dipelihara, hanya perlu beberapa saat setiap hari atau beberapa jam setiap minggu untuk merawat dan mencek kondisi ikan dan lingkungannya. Beberapa hal yang perlu diperhatikan dalam memelihara arwana :

Wadah
1. Kolam
Pemeliharaan induk arwana sebaiknya dilakukan di kolam. tanah. Lokasi untuk kolam perlu mempetimbangkan :
Tanah
Jenis Tanah yang baik adalah tanah Nat berlempung yang dapat menahan air dan mendukung pertumbuhan pakan alami.
Topografi
Perbedaan derajat kemiringan antara saluran pemasukan dan pengeluaran maksimal 1%.
Air
Suplai air yang memenuhi kualitas, kuantitas dan kontinuitas yang dibutuhkan.

Kolam yang ideal berbentuk persegi panjang dengan ukuran minimal 10x10m2. Persiapan kolam sebelum tanam yaitu :
Pengeringan kolam hingga dasar retak-retak
Pembalikan dasar kolam, perbaikan pematang
Pengapuran dengan dosis 50-100 gram/m2
Perngisian air setinggi 100 cm

Hujan deras dapat mengakibatkan perubahan mendadak kualitas air. Untuk mencegah kematian ikan, ganti air (setelah hujan berhenti) minimal 30% dari total volume air.

2. Akuarium
Sebagai ikan hias, arwana dapat dipelihara dalam akuarium. Secara umum, semakin besar ukuran akuarium akan semakin baik, karena arwana memerlukan ruang gerak yang cukup luas. Ukuran akuarium minimal 3 kali dari panjang ikan dengan lebar 1. 5 kali panjang ikan. Akuarium ditempatkan di area yang jauh dari gangguan, untuk menghindari stress pada ikan. Tutup akuarium dengan tutup yang rapat dan kuat karena arwana dapat melompat atau mendorong tutup ke luar akuarium.

Setelah arwana berumur 4 bulan, pemeliharaan mulai dilakukan secara terpisah pada akuarium ukuran 75 x 45 x 45 cm untuk menghindari perkelahian antar ikan. Pemeliharaan 2-3 ekor arwana dalam satu akuarium perlu dihindari, mengingat sifat agresif akan menyebabkan perkelahian. Namun diperbolehkan pemeliharaan 6 ekor sekaligus, karena sifat agresif arwana menjadi sangat berkurang.

Untuk merangsang keluarnya warna yang bagus dan pembentukan kromatofora, perlu diberikan pencahayaan buatan minimal 10-12 jam per hari. Hindari penyalaan lampu secara mendadak, yang bisa menyebabkan panik, sehingga ikan menabrak kaca atau benda lainnya dalam akuarium dan ikan menjadi terluka. Manipulasi pencahayaan sering dapat menimbulkan pantulan warna ikan dengan lebih baik. Letakkan lampu di bagian depan akuarium, dan set sudut reflektor sedemikan rupa sehingga bisa memberikan pantulan yang optimal. Banyak pilihan lampu dijual dipasaran dengan spektrum bervariasi, lampu berspektrum penuh akan secara alamiah memantulkan wama-warna alami dari ikan.

Pada waktu 6-7 bulan setelah ikan dapat berenang bebas, ukuran mencapai 20-25 cm dan dapat dipasarkan.

Perawatan Akuariurn
Sebagai karnivora, arwana akan memproduksi kotoran dalam jumlah relatif banyak dengan kandungan unsur nitrogen tinggi. Oleh karena itu, kadar amonia, nitrit, dan nitrat dalam akuarium arwana sering kali menjadi masalah.

Penggantian air dilakukan untuk memperbaiki kualitas air yang telah menurun akibat banyaknya kotoran ikan. Oleh karena itu dalam penggantian air yang menggunakan sistem siphon (menggunakan selang air) sekaligus untuk mengeluarkan sisa-sisa kotoran ikan dan juga kotoran yang melekat pada kaca. Penggantian air cukup dilakukan 2 atau 4 minggu sekali dan tidak perlu seluruh air diganti tetapi cukup sejumlah 30-50 % dari total air. Perlu diperhatikan bahwa suhu dan pH air pengganti harus relatif sama dengan air akuarium. Hindari terjadinya fluktuasi kualitas air saat melakukan penggantian air.

Bersamaan dengan penggantian air dilakukan juga pembersihan media filter mekanik yang digunakan.

Pakan hidup merupakan jenis pakan utama bagi arwana yang termasuk karnivora. Pakan yang diberikan hendaknya bervariasi untuk menekan resiko kekurangan gizi tertentu.

Beberapa jenis pakan yang sering diberikan pada arwana adalah ikan hidup, udang hidup, potongan udang segar, potongan daging ikan segar, serangga (jangkrik, kecoa, kelabang), cacing/ulat (cacing sutera, cacing tanah, cacing darah, ulat hongkong) dan kodok.

Penggunaan pakan hidup perlu didahului dengan tindakan karantina yang memadai untuk menghindari masuknya bibit penyakit. Terutama pakan hidup yang berasal atau hidup dalam air, seperti udang, ikan, atau kodok. Hindari memberikan serangga atau kodok mati, kecuali anda yakin betul tidak berasal dari area tercemar insektisida.

Sebelum memberikan pakan hidup, bagian-bagian tubuh pakan yang diperkirakan dapat melukai mulut ikan dibuang terlebih dahulu. Seperti kaki belakang kecoa dan jangkrik, atau rostrum (duri pada kepala) udang. Dapat juga pakan hidup tersebut dilemahkan sebelum diberikan pada ikan, agar tidak terjadi �kejar-mengejar� berlebihan dalam ruang akuarium yang sempit. Arwana yang mengalami kelebihan pakan dalam jangka lama, akan kehilangan nafsu makan selama beberapa hari bahkan beberapa minggu.

Pakan buatan merupakan hasil ramuan dengan komposisi yang mencukupi kebutuhan gizi bagi pertumbuhan arwana dengan cara melatih dan membiasakan agar arwana mau memakannya.

Teknik Pemisahan Skala Kecil di Kolam Semen

1. Pemeliharaan Induk
Induk dipelihara dalam kolam berukuran 5 x 5 m dengan kedalaman air 0,5-0,75 m. Kolam ditutup plastik setinggi 0,75 m untuk mencegah lompatan ikan.

Ruangan pemijahan dibangun di pojok perkolaman dan ditambah dengan beberapa kayu gelondongan untuk memberikan kesan alami. Batu dan kerikil dihindari karena dapat melukai ikan atau dapat tercampur pakan secara tidak sengaja.

Kolam pembesaran dibangun di area tenang dan ditutup sebagian, dan dijauhkan dari sinar matahari langsung. Induk dipelihara dalam kolam pembesaran hingga mencapai matang gonad.

Pengelolaan Kualitas Air
Kualitas air dijaga agar mendekati lingkungan alami arwana yaitu pH 6,8-7,5 dan suhu 27-29 C. Penggantian air dilakukan sebanyak 30-34% dari total volume dengan air deklorinisasi.

Pemberian Pakan
Keseimbangan gizi sangat penting bagi kematangan gonad dan pemijahan. Induk diberikan pakan bervariasi yang mengandung kadar protein tinggi. Pakan diberikan setiap hari dalam bentuk ikan/udang hidup atau runcah, dan ditambah pelet dengan kadar protein 32 %. Jumlah pemberian pakan per hari adalah 2 % dari bobot total tubuh.

Kematangan gonad
Matang gonad terjadi pada umur 4 tahun dengan panjang tubuh 45-60cm.
Pemijahan terjadi sepanjang tahun, dan mencapai puncaknya antara bulan Juli dan Desember. Induk jantan di alam akan menjaga telur yang sudah dibuahi dalam mulutnya hingga 2 bulan ketika larva mulai dapat berenang.

Arwana betina mempunyai ovarium tunggal yang mengandung 20-30 ova besar dengan diameter rata-rata 1,9 cm dengan kematangan berbeda-beda. Induk jantan dewasa juga mempunyai sebuah organ vital menyerupai testis.

Pembedaan Kelamin
Juvenil sulit dibedakan jenis kelaminnya. Perbedaan akan muncul setelah ikan berukur 3-4 tahun.

Pembedaan jenis kelamin diketahui melalui bentuk tubuh dan lebar mulut. Arwana jantan mempunyai tubuh lebih langsing dan sempit, mulut lebih besar dan warna lebih mencolok daripada betina. Mulut yang melebar dengan rongga besar digunakan untuk tujuan inkubasi telur. Perbedaan lain adalah ukuran kepala jantan relatif lebih besar, sifat lebih agresif termasuk dalam perebutan makanan.

Kebiasaan Pemijahan
Tingkah laku arwana sangat unik selama masa pengenalan lain jenis. Masa ini berlangsung selama beberapa minggu atau bulan sebelum mereka mulai menjadi pasangan. Hal ini dapat diamati pada waktu malam, ketika ikan berenang mendekati permukaan air. Arwana jantan mengejar betina sekeliling kolam, terkadang pasangan membentuk lingkaran (hidung menghadap ke ekor pasangan).

Sekitar 1-2 minggu sebelum pemijahan, ikan berenang bersisian dengan tubuh seling menempel. Terjadilah pelepasan sejumlah telur berwarna jingga kemerahan, Jantan membuahi telur dan kemudian mengumpulkan telurdi mulitnya untuk diinkubasi sampai larva dapat berenang dan bertahan sendiri. Diameter telur 8-10 mm dan kaya akan kuning telur dan menetas sekitar seminggu setelah pembuahan. Setelah penetasan, larva muda hidup dalam mulut jantan hingga 7-8 minggu sampai kuning telur diserap total. Larva lepas dari mulut dan menjadi mandiri setelah ukuran tubuh 45-50 mm.

2. Panen Larva
Inkubasi telur secara normal adalah membutuhkan 8 minggu. Untuk memperpendek waktu, telur yang sudah dibuahi dapat dikeluarkan dari mulut pejantan 1 bulan setelah pemijahan. Induk jantan ditangkap dengan sangat hati-hati dengan jaring halus lalu diselimuti dengan handuk katun yang basah untuk menghindari ikan memberontak dan terluka.

Untuk melepaskan larva dari mulut induk jantan, tarik perlahan bagian bawah mulut dan tubuh ditekan ringan. Larva dikumpulkan dalam wadah plastik dan diinkubasikan dalam akuarium. Jumlah larva yang dapat mencapai 25-30 ekor.

Teknik Pembenihan
Setelah dikeluarkan dari mulut pejantan, larva diinkubasikan dalam akuarium berukuran 45x45x90 cm. Temperatur air 27-29 �C menggunakan pemanas thermostat. Oksigen terlarut 5 ppm (mg/ I) menggunakan aerator bukaan kecil.

Untuk mencegah infeksi akibat penanganan larva, dalam air dilarutkan Acriflavine 2 ppm. Menggunakan teknik pembenihan in vitro ini, Survival Rate (SR) yang didapat sampai tahap ikan dapat berenang adalah 90-100 %.

Selama periode inkubasi, larva tidak perlu diberikan pakan. Beberapa minggu pertama selama kuning telur belum habis, biasanya larva hampir selalu berada pada dasar akuarium. Larva mulai berenang ke atas bertahap ketika ukuran kuning telur mengecil. Pada minggu ke delapan, kuning telur hampir terserap habis sehingga larva mulai berenang ke arah horizontal. Pada tahap ini, pakan hidup pertama harus mulai diberikan untuk mencegah larva saling Ketika ukuran larva mencapai 8,5 cm atau berumur 7 minggu, kuning telur terserap secara penuh dan larva dapat berenang bebas.

Pemeliharaan Larva
Tambahan pakan hidup yang dapat diberikan seperti cacing darah atau anak ikan yang ukurannya sesuai bukaan mulut arwana.
Larva yang telah mencapai panjang 10-12 cm dapat diberikan pakan seperti udang air tawar kecil atau runcah untuk mengimbangi kecepatan tumbuhnya.

Teknik Transportasi
Arwana bila gelisah gampang sekali melakukan �jumping� atau menabrak-nabrak. Bila satu saja sisiknya terlepas akan terlihat kurang indah. Juga bisa mengakibatkan sirip robek dan patah.

Tubuh yang rusak bisa mengalami regenerasi, namun mungkin pula menjadi cacatdan mengurangi keindahan penampilan, apalagi ada hal-hal yg bisa memperparah luka-lukanya (misalnya infeksi, pertumbuhan bekas luka yg lambat/delay). Untuk itu arwana perlu dilumpuhkan agar tidak dapat berontak dalam proses pemindahan antar akuarium maupun transportasi jarak jauh. Dosis pembiusan diatur sedemikian rupa bergantung keperluan. Untuk transportasi jarak jauh, arwana dilumpuhkan gara tidak dapat berontak namun tidak sampai terbalik dan masih bisa berenang. Pemindahan antar arwana akuarium menggunakan dosis ringan, yang penting arwana tidak dapat berontak.

1. Persiapan Pre-anestesi :
Puasakan arwana selama 1-2 hari.
Lama puasa bergantung ukuran tubuh, jenis dan kebiasaan arwana buang kotoran (lancar atau tidak). Semakin besar ukuran arwana maka semakin lama waktu puasa, untuk menghindari arwana muntah atau mengeluarkan kotoran.Untuk arwana berukuran kecil (
Siapkan air tampungan yang sudah teraerasi minimal 24 jam.
Kondisi arwana tidak mengalami gangguan pernapasan, tidak ditemukan kelainan pada tutup insang.

Alat dan bahan :
Plastik dengan lebar sepanjang badan arwana.
Wadah bak untuk tempat kantong plastik yang berisi arwana
Air segar, air yang telah diaerasi yg mencukupi minimal 24 jam. Hindari bahan-bahan kimia lain yang terlarut.
Bahan : Aquadine� cair

Prosedur Pelaksanaan :
Tangkap arwana dalam akuarium dengan tenang kantong plastik.
Masukkan cairan bius dalam plastik kira-kira 1 cc/lt.
Bila sudah terlihat tidak bisa melompat, angkat kantong plastik.
Perhatikan apakah perlu ditambahkan lagi cairan bius untuk
menurunkan kesadaran sampai arwana menjadi terbalik, tunggu reaksi bius beberapa menit.
Jaga arwana selalu tenggelam dalam air, untuk menghindari kembung.
Bila sudah tidak berontak, perhatikan gerakan tutup insang harus terlihat bergerak. (Dalam waktu kurang dari 5 menit, arwana mulai gelisah dan kehilangan keseimbangan dan tidak banyak bergerak. Karena bagian tubuhnya yg berat ada di bagian atas, maka arwana mulai terbalik. Badannya mulai kaku/ kejang. Perhatikan gerakannya, terutama gerakan insang yg menunjukkan masih adanya usaha untuk bernapas.
Untuk keperluan foto dan pengukuran, angkat ke tempat yang telah dipersiapkan dan lakukan secepat mungkin, bila terlalu lama di luar air bisa kembung.

Paska Pembiusan :
Masukkan kembali ke dalam akuarium dengan air yang tidak mengandung bahan kimia lain. Jaga di bawah kucuran air, dalam air dekat permukaan.
Arwana mulai siuman, jaga jangan sampai terbentur benda-benda di sekelilingnya.
Efek samping :
Obat bius tanpa pengenceran yang mengenai sisik arwana menyebabkan iritasi selaput lendir dan menimbulkan alergi pada beberapa orang.
Bila arwana kembung, bisa disiapkan larutan daun ketapang kering yang tua dituangkan dalam akuarium, suhu dinaikkan level air direndahkan. Arwana yang kembung dicirikan tidak dapat menyelam ke dasardan berenang nungging.
Bila pembiusan terlalu dalam biasanya gerakan tubuh mulai jarang, gerakan insang juga demikian. Pembiusan lebih dalam lagi akan mengurangi kekejangan otot, saat tersebut insang juga tidak ada gerakan, ikan berada pada posisi mengambang. Untuk mengatasinya tambahkan air segar untuk mengencerkan dosis obat bius atau di ceburkan ke tank bersih dibawah kucuran air.

Sumber: Buku Budidaya Ikan Arwana, Direktorat Jenderal P. Budidaya

Pemerintah akan patenkan ikan arwana

2011-10-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

JAKARTA. Kementerian Kehutanan (Kemenhut) tengah berupaya mematenkan ikan arwana. Direktur Jenderal Perlindungan Hutan dan Konservasi Alam (PHKA) Kementerian Kehutanan Darori berharap hak paten internasional itu bisa diperoleh tahun ini.

Sejauh ini, Kemenhut tengah membentuk tim yang akan membuktikan ikan arwana benar-benar berasal dari Indonesia. Tim ini terdiri dari Kemenhut, Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia dan Kementerian Hukum dan HAM. Kemenhut juga mengajak beberapa perguruan tinggi dan lembaga swadaya masyarakat untuk turut terlibat.

Darori mengatakan, surat keputusan tim ini sedang diproses. Setelah bisa membuktikan ikan arwana berasal dari Indonesia, tim ini akan mendaftarkan hak paten ke World Intellectual Property Organization.

Darori mengungkapkan, alasan mematenkan ikan ini supaya tidak diakui sebagai milik negara lain. Sebab, dia mendengar ada beberapa negara yang mengakui ikan arwana sebagai ikan khas mereka. Sayangnya, dia tidak menyebutkan nama negara tersebut.

Ketua Arwana Club Indonesia Stephen Suryaatmadja mendesak pemerintah bertindak lebih cepat untuk mematenkan ikan arwana. Sebab, dia bilang, arwana jenis super red sudah jelas berasal dari Indonesia. �Buktinya ada peneliti Prancis, Laurent Pouyaud, yang dibayar oleh negaranya untuk meneliti ikan itu. Lalu, semua negara yang memiliki ikan super red itu diambilnya berasal dari Kalimantan,� ucap Stephen.

Stephen mengakui ada indikasi negara tetangga sudah mulai mematenkan arwana sebagai ikan asli milik mereka. �Kabarnya negara itu sudah bergerilya. Jangan lagi kita sampai kecolongan seperti batik dan reog ponorogo,� imbuhnya.

Secara umum ikan arwana yang terdapat di Indonesia terdiri dari dua jenis yaitu jenis Sclerofages formosusmemiliki tiga varietas yaitu arwana merah (super red), merah-keemasan (golden red) dan hijau (green). Ikan ini bertebaran di beberapa daerah kalimantan dan Sumatra. Adapun satunya lagi jenis Sclerofages yardiniiatau lebih dikenal dengan arwana Irian atau arwana hitam yang hidup di daerah Papua khususnya di Merauke.

sumber : kontan.co.id

Kind Of Diseases That Attack Arowana Very Often

2011-08-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

GILL CURLING

When Gill curling had occured , the covering of the fish's gills will curl back due to excessive amounts of nitrates and ammonia in the water PH . Another facter might be the size of the tank been too small . ( Lack of swimming spaces ) To prevent Gill Curling - Firstly , check the water PH and add a little aquarium salt if needed . Secondly , change the tank to a larger size to ensure sufficient swimming spaces . If Gill Curling had occured , then you will need to do a small surgery . Firstly , asthenia the Arowana with medicine ( get it from pet shop ) , then place the Arowana on a wet cloth carefully . Secondly , use a small scissors ( heat the scissors if needed ) to cut the covering of the gill slowly . Lastly , placed the Arowana back into the water and let it rest . May take 2 - 3 weeks to recover .

BULGING EYE

Bulging eye prevents the Arowana from looking up since the upper part of the eyeball protrudes . It is caused by feeding the Arowana too much fatty food such as beefheart or prawns and even its own reflection at the bottom of the tank . There are a few possible causes for this symptom and if it worsen , the Arowana might become blind ( Eyes rot or drop off ^_^: ) . Sometimes , bulging eyes might occured only one side of the eyes but the Arowana is still able to swim and eat . Since there is no cure for bulging eyes , prevention is better than cure .

HEADROT

Headrot is normally caused by using active carbon filter . Headrot will start off by a patch of white spot on the head .
As time pass by , the white spot will started to rot and produced dents on the Arowana's head . Only known cure is to add some aquarium salt until the Arowana recovers . Allow 2 - 3 weeks for the Arowana to recover .

SPINAL CURVATURE

This is most commonly seen in Silver and Black Arowanas. The causes are most often malnutrition when the fish is young and injury, but since the problem usually starts when the specimen is young, they need to be carefully checked for it before a purchase is made. As was mentioned earlier, the two Australian species are not as flexible as other arowanas and have to be kept in a relatively larger tank, or they may develop this condition. Once it develops, it is difficult to treat and a full recovery is virtually impossible. But if a decent environment is provided, this will rarely lead to the fish's death.

How To Boosting Colour Of Arowana

2011-08-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

1. Tanning

Sun tanning or simply tanning is the process whereby skin color is darkened or tanned. The process is most often a result of exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from artificial sources.

a. Sunray , since 7.30am to 11.00am the tank will be exposed to sunray bath at angled direction

b. At 11.00am to 20.00pm tanning held by 1 @30W 16.000K TL light (submerged underwater) at just below water level and 1 @20W 16.000K TL and 1@ 20W Actnic Blue 22.000K TL . , The light tube will replaced every 4 months

2. Water Control : set pH level at 6.3 and gH level at 8.0-9.0 , low salinity, pH level managed decreasing with blackwater , increasing withwater changing ( my arthesis water are pH 7.6, stabil with good buffering capacity level) Oxygen level managed by aerator pump and sprayedwater from canister output, O3 treatment 1hour every day to keepsterilize the tank.

Blackwater treatment : every 3days ,tank's water changed 30% andtreated with blackwater extract to be pH6.3 . gH is lowered using ionexchange resin filtration for new water change (not on the tank).Normally i used 3 bottle @500ml Tetra Blackwater extract every 2 months .

3. Feeding and Diet :

Feeded only with crickets , prawns and bamboo worms , diet will be feeded on balance (all 3 types of them in a day) and feeding times is every 4 hours start at 8.00am , 12am, 16.00pm and last at 20.00pm, always never feeded full in one feeding time except for last feeding .

4. Filtration :

2 @ 1500l/h canister filter using bio filtration media , to keep the waterbalance in biological recycle , the filter is perfectly balanced already and using such as gravel bed with undergravel pad for intake to canister

Memilih Anakan Arowana

2011-07-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

Ada beberapa hal yang mesti diperhatikan dalam memilih anakan arowana yang baik dan berkualitas, yaitu:

Bentuk badan proporsional yang artinya badan tidak terlalu panjang jika dibandingkan dengan besar kepala dan lebar ekor & sirip.
Warna cerah.
Sungut/kumis tegak dan menghadap keatas.
Mata tidak turun/drop eye.
Tutup insang tidak melipat keluar/kedalam.
Sisik yang beraturan dan utuh (tidak lepas).
Berenang tidak nungging.
Badan tidak bengkok.
Berenang yang aktif (berenang di bagian tengah & atas).
Nafsu makan yang baik.
Dayung panjang dan kokoh.
Pangkal ekor tidak terlalu panjang yang menyebabkan terlihat adanya jarak antara ekor dan sirip (bawah & atas).
Pastikan anakan arowana berasal dari farm yang terpercaya / sudah terbukti kualitas produknya.
Khusus untuk arowana jenis Super Red & Red Tail Golden tersedia chip dan sertifikat yang sesuai

sumber : arowana blogs

Three causes of aro death: Jump, Water or Wrong Medication

2011-06-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

Often Jumping

There are three main causes most of arowana death . One of them must have the disease, right? No, the disease was not ranked at the top cause of death of the fish bearer of this good fortune. "Very rare cases of death due to disease arowana," Then, what then? Fifty percent of deaths occur due to jumping from the aquarium, Do not ever underestimate jump habits, this habits is already inherent in nature. Arowana fish which are of an aggressive, so see the food directly to play snapped. Shocked also could be the cause of arowana jump from aquariums.

Danger when to jump out and not get caught. "Arwana can not survive without water," How to prevent it? Because it involves very difficult character to force him to abandon this habit. But setting a good aquarium will prevent exit the aquarium. Closing the aquarium will keep him out of the aquarium, Concluding it can not make arowana stop jumping, but will stop out of the aquarium. Arowana will knock the cover if you jump, Aro was saved from death due to remain in the aquarium. Most of the aro wounded and later can be recovered again. "If you've certainly learned my lesson a few times hit,"

Sediment Water

"Replace the water holding a vital role," You see an error running water is also included the most aro kills . Death usually occurs because of change of water directly from tap. How to avoid it? Endapkan used to water, either piped water or ground water. "Water and oxygen-poor soil typically contain substances such as Fe which could also be a danger,"

Drug

The other cause of death dragon fish is the use of drugs indiscriminately. And by replacing water and clean regularly, mold can be resisted. So is the use of drugs or Raising lowering acidity. "The water here is generally pH and other water parameters are in accordance with the needs of Arowana.

Arowana owners usually would panic if aro acting different from the habit. Because fear of his favorite fish was sick and die, as known it's price is expensive. "Because sometimes people simply love panic medication without think about it," instead of helping, giving perfunctory drugs can actually be fatal.

Drug use rather than prohibited. Use of drugs as needed. If it is diseased and can not be cured by natural means, the use of drugs can be applied. "But it must be ensured before any illness," If it is definitely what the disease, new drugs give appropriate. Use the medication dose according to the rules. Never mind the arowana, people that indiscriminate drug use is also going to die.

Aerator

2011-06-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

Function aerator or air pump is supplying air into the aquarium water, and simultaneously vaporize or push the remnants of burning out of the aquarium or pond Aquaculture & Fish Arowana Arowana. Aerator is quite good, if a small electrical current that moves him, but a relatively large air blowed.

Laguna Aeration Kit for Ponds

Here Some Aerator that I recomended for you, just click the picture below for more information:

H2Show Bubble Maker Aerator Pump

Marine Metal Products Power Bubbles 12V DC Aeration Pump

Aquarium arowana

2011-06-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

Size Aquarium / Tank

Standard tank sizes are the recommended for the maintenance of arowana is 150 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm, with a thickness of 10 mm thick glass / 1 cm. Size is for the maintenance of a tail arowana in a tank.

If you want to keep arowana in a number more in one tank, the recommended aquarium size 200 cm x 60 cm x 70 cm, with glass thickness 12 mm. For this size it is recommended to use types of tempered glass / glass that has an oven / heating.

Maintenance of more than one tail arowana in a tank / aquarium is recommended as many as 6 birds / more. This is to avoid fights between arowana that can cause injury and even death.

High table:

Height of table / foot aquarium is made with a minimum height of 100 cm. This is to memperjauh arowana visibility to the floor which can cause the eyes to squint arowana for always seeing the floor.

Background / Background:

Aquarium backgrounds are encouraged to use a picture / sticker / paint. Color according to taste. But most hobbies using a background color according to type of arowana is maintained, for example:

- Super Red = black Background

- Golden Cross Back = Background black

- Red Tail Golden = Background blue / white

- Background Bandjar Red = Blue / White

- Silver = Background black / blue

Filtration System:

Filtration system commonly used is the system; side filter box (filter side), top box filter (filter top), a separate filter from the tank (usually using a canister type engine), sump filter (by way of siphoning from the bottom and use a small aquarium at the Under the filter box).

In maintaining the arowana are suggested to use a sump filter system, because the system is able to suck up dirt in the water. Besides it is also easy to clean.

Here Some Aquarium Hoods, that you can see.. just click the picture for more information:

Marina Style Deluxe Aquarium Kit

Aquarium Furniture 30/38/45 Gallon Upright Stand

Picotope 3 Gallon Aquarium

Heater

2011-06-09T23:07:00.000-07:00

Arowana is a fish that can live in the temperature range of 27-34 degrees cel, but sometimes if the weather is changing and causing the temperature in the water tank down. Fish can be attacked by various diseases. Therefore it is in need heater / heater to keep the temperature remains stable at 29-30 degrees cel. Heater is also very well used during treatment if fish are sick.

For aquarium size 150 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm is recommended to use the heater 150 watts. While measuring 200 cm x 60 cm x 70 cm is recommended that 200 watts or 2 x 150 watts.

Here, some of heater you can see.. click the picture for more details

High quality quartz glass submersible heater with a visible temperature readout

Aqueon features a variety of accessories to help keep your fish and their aquatic environment clean and healthy. Aqueon introduces the most accurate, reliable, durable and easy to use aquarium heaters on the market. Available in five sizes/wattages to fit any size aquarium. All Aqueon heaters are guaranteed for life.

Theo Heater. New aquarium heater functioning with the exclusive PTC technology means that this heater will not break or damage when run out of the tank. Theo aquarium heater has all the necessary feature for safe and precise temperature maintenance of the water in your tank. The exclusive technology and the high quality of components guarantee a long lasting prod

Aquarium Lamp

2011-06-09T23:03:00.000-07:00

To beautify the aquarium is necessary that adequate light and good for fish growth. For aquariums with a length of 150cm, minimal use 40 watt lamps. For the size of 200cm, at least 2 x 30 watts. Types of lamps can be provided that type of top-submersible lamp and lamp (dye).

this example of aquarium lamp, just click the picture for more detail information:

48" 260w Pl Aquarium Light Reef Marine Fish Tank Hood Light

Coralife 54332 Actinic Straight Pin Compact Fluorescent Lamp, 24-Watt

Purely Products PUVH2305 5-Watt UV-C Germicidal Ultraviolet Replacement Bulb

Aquarium Quarantine / Hospital Tank

2011-06-09T22:57:00.000-07:00

It is recommended to keep arowana, also provide a tank for the quarantine. For if the arowana pain can be treated in the quarantine tank. Similarly, if you want to put new fish in quarantine should be used to ensure no disease.