October 28, 2007
Moving of my arowana tank.. Part 3
Hi everyone,
Thought I'd better give an update since my tank move. I decided to leave my red arowana at the farm instead of taking it back after the move. I was reluctant to do so but really had no choice. You see, my red arowana was already more than 2 feet long and my tank's width was only 2 feet long, (It's a 5×2x2 feet tank) which means that my baby would have problems turning in the tank. Before long, my arowana would develop curled gills! I could not let that happen! Would love to get a larger tank to cater for it but unfortunately, this is not a good time to get a new tank. In 2-3 years time maybe but not now…
On a slightly separate note, my red arowana looks much redder in the farm. This proves that more sunlight can enhance the color of arowanas especially reds.
Anyway, I have brought home 5 juvenile crossback golden arowanas about 2 weeks ago. I know I will have the same problem in about 2-3 years time when they grow larger and cannot turn in the tank but hopefully by then, I will have my 7 or 9 foot tank! Will think about that when the time comes. 
They were chosen from the batch shown below.
Someone asked me why 5? Why not 3 or 7 or etc..? Ok this is my rationale. As we all know, arowanas are aggressive by nature and will fight with others in the same community tank. Don't try and tame them ok because frankly you're wasting your time! To me, the number of arowanas in a tank must be an odd number so that every arowana in the tank is wary of each other. Why did I go for 5 instead of 3? I personally find 3 too little and fighting is more common here. The more you have, the more wary the arowanas are of each other! Some of you will probably not agree with my logic but that's cool! I can live with that! I also know several hobbyist with 3 arowanas and they are living in harmony. Frankly there is really no magic number … you just need to decide for yourself what is good for you!
Have been watching my 5 young arowanas closely the past 2 weeks and I must say, they are getting along quite well. Still a bit jittery but I think they are getting use to each other. They do fight because I can see torn fins, etc but nothing major so I'm ok with that. One of the arowanas broke one of it's barbel (shucks!) during the transportation to my home but it should grow back in time. What I have done to make them less jittery is to NOT make the lights too bright. (those shining above the tank.) This has helped them adapt faster to the new home. The other good thing is, my arowanas started to eat only after 3 days in their new home! I expected them not to eat for at least a week but they surprised me! A very good sign indeed!
Anyway… am pretty happy with the move as a whole… Not much hiccups! Ok talk to you soon! Cheers!
Filed under Arowana Care Tips by Steven
Comments on Moving of my arowana tank.. Part 3 »
those are nice aros uv got there, how many aros uv got in ur farm?, i was wondering, i have a jardini housed in a 3.8'x1.7'x1.7' LxWxH tank outside our home, his around 8-9 inches long, how long can this tank be good to him? and when getting a new tank, how big should a minimun width be? thanks bro!!!
Dear Steven,
Thanks for sharing the lovely information with me. There were lot of information between the lines in your text for Arowana lovers to note.
The Red Arwana of Hendri you forwarde was really marvellous. I have saved the picture in my computer. Was there any photography tricks to make the Red look so lovely. In an earlier article, I learnt that The cross backed Gold is costlier than the Red. Is it true. I also learnt by four and five years, the Arowana matures. To what length will the cross backed Arowan grow. You said your Red is more than two feet. I learnt that Silver Arowana grow fast and long, where as the Golden are slow in growth, and may attain about three feet. May be in the wild. In confinement , it may not get to that length.
I have lost track of my rser ID and pass word. So, I can only reply on getting your mails. Thanks Steven for reallu keeping me updated.
Bye ! all the best with your new Golden Five.
Han,
This tank can probably only last you about 2+ years maximum. I would recommend a minimum tank size of 4×2x2 feet to start off with. This size should last you about 3+ years.
Steven
Shankar,
To answer your questions..
1) I'm not sure whether they enhanced the red color there. However I would not be surprised if they did.
2) Depending on the place you go to, gold arowanas can be more expensive than the reds and vice versa.
3) Gold arowanas can grow to 3+ feet no problems..
Steven
i liked your site very much. iloved your information and tips and i told my friend bittu to take arowana tips from you and i also told him that u r a experienced arowana user………and i had to ask a question to u??? can i keep a 17 cm silver arowana in a10 gallon tank permanently……..i hope u will answer to my question…… pronoy
Very much appreciate steven 4 u 2 share ur part 3 2 me n hopefully everythin go smooth from here…….thk.
thgose are very nice crossbacks steven goodluck on your community tank hope all works out well
hi steven , i really like your site. how about giving me a tip of a store here in the phil. who sells fry of silver arowana . thanks you in advance.
Pronoy,
You can never keep an arowana in a tank permanently as the tank needs to grow with your fish.
Steven
Giovanni,
Drop me a personal email as I'm not sure what tips you are looking for..
Steven
hi Steven, i was wondering if you can help me out. i have 4 reds and 1 xback in a community tank, but i had to move one of the reds out to treat some wounds it got from trying to jump out. anyway, the red is now well and i would like to move it back to the community. any advise on how i can do this safely? i have heard of many others who lost arowanas by introducing a new one to an existing community. thanks!
Stubbs,
When you put back the red into the community tank, please watch it for a few days to see whether the rest will accept it back. Depending on how long it was out of the tank, they should accept it back but you should always be sure by monitoring it closely. Let me know what happens. Cheers!
Steven
Steven,
Thanks so much for sharing us your Moving of my arowana part 3, I did learn a lot. Your juvenile 5 Xbacks are all looking good from the picture. Good luck for this community and your whole family.
Hopefully, I can visit you in Singapore during my Holidays visit to my niece this December upto first week of Jan 2008.
Regards.
Tonio
Theyre awesome Steven…..Hope to see them in person..
Thanks for sharing =)
Hi Steven,
Toshay on your decision to keep the red dragon at the farm, its better that way since its 2 ft long.Getting 5 young ones will enhance your enthusiasm and you will broden your website with more info and experience
RT,
Yes.. I find that they tend to be more active when there are more than one. They do fight but that's ok! Just like sibling rivalry…
Steven
Hi Steven,
Nice to hear your story about Red & new X-back Golden Arowanas.
Need your advice on keeping Arowana. My tank size is 54"x22"x30" (LxWxH in Inch). Raised one Green Arowana in same tank from 6inch to now 17inch just within 11 months of time. But now wanna to change it to Red or RTG soon. Planning to move green one to other tank.
So can you let me know how many specimen of arowanas i can keep in my existing tank? Can i keep 3 or 5 in same tank & how long this tank suitable for them?
Rgds…..Nitin
Nitin,
Your tank size is about 4.5×1.8×2.5 feet.. I would recommend maybe 3 as 5 might be too much for your tank. The tank will probably last you 2+ years before you need to change it.
You can mix or match arowanas AS LONG AS they grow up together from young.
Steven
hi,
my arowana got a curled gill on one side.how can i get it back to normal.
Peter,
It is not too bad, it will heal by itself. Change your water as this is one of the main causes.
Steven