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Arowanas are fascinating marine animals and are also known as dragonfish. The Arowanas have got large scales, a bony tongue, and dark-colored barbells. These prehistoric traits testify that these species have inhabited Earth for so many years, to over a hundred million years. The Arowanas may reach up to 48 inches, and hence, you’ll need a spacious tank to keep them healthy.
Arowanas are not aggressive in a tank when provided with the right feeding, and they love the tank’s center and upper portions and robust living plants. When feeding, the Arowanas are only mildly hostile, but they normally ignore other tank mates. They are compatible alongside cichlids and moderately aggressive fish due to their ability to defend themselves with their strong scales. Arowanas flourish in temperatures ranging from 75 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH that ranges from 6.0 to 7.0.
Ideal Arowana tank mates
Arowanas are notoriously tough to tank mate in anyhobby aquarium. They soon outgrow the majority of fish and will readily consume their previous aquarium mates. Consider the following fish species that will outgrow your Arowana over its lifetime;
1. The Snakehead fish
This fish species require huge aquariums just as the Arowanas do; hence they can make good tank mates. As its name suggests, its head and scales look similar to that of the snake. It is capable of surviving in lowly-oxygenated bodies and bodies with thick vegetation.
2.Plecos
These are uncommon species that grow up to 15 inches, and they are mostly found at the bottom of the aquarium. The common Plecos nibble on plants, algae, and driftwood and can also feed on veggies. They mostly get active at night, and this is when they should be fed.
3.The parrot Cichlids
If you’ve previously kept cichlids, raising the Parrotfish will be much simpler. The fish is a relatively recent hybrid produced by the crossing of two cichlid species from Central America. They are typically eight inches in length. Parrotfish species are typically vivid orange in color with minor spots of other colors, such as white.
Parrotfish species are lively tank residents, frequently spotted darting around the water surface of the aquarium. They will flee for protection as soon as they detect danger, and hence if you decide to rear them, you should supply plenty of hiding places in the aquarium. You can consider investing in a gravel substrate, as they thrive on digging around the ground.
4.Cichlid’s Green Terror
It can grow up to 12 inches in length, and for optimal living circumstances, adults would need a 100-gallon aquarium. To catch a glimpse of the cichlid, you can utilize severalLED lighting and observe their bodily reflections shift from blue-green to a pale green color. They have a tremendous bio-load, and for their tanks,canister filtration is advised.
5.Iridescent shark
This species has long barbells from its mouth, which enable it to navigate in the tank. It is Shiny-grey in appearance, and it mostly swims amid the aquarium. The iridescent shark can grow up to four feet in length, and it requires a larger tank. It is recommended to keep at least four of them in the aquarium as they are schooling fish species.
6.The Pacu fish
The Pacu size ranges from 6 to 2 feet based on the Pacu species. Temperature ranges of between 76-82 ° F should be provided. Equipping the aquarium with anaquarium heater ensures that these parameters are met. While young Pacus have shoaling behaviors, most mature Pacus become lonely and thus can be kept solo. The Pacu can clip in fins so that they don’t keep having long, pretty fins.
7.Tiger Datnoid species
Datnoid fish and Arowanas can coexist happily. It is also known as the tiger fish. Just as its name suggests, it has many streaks that run along the body, usually golden and white. The tiger Datnoid fish in the wild are fearsome carnivores that hunt tiny fish, crustaceans, and other smaller animals.
Aquarists need to feed live items to appease this predatory inclination, but the fish can be trained to eat pellets and frozen meals. These fish are quite timid, and hence one should provide plenty of hiding areas in your aquarium.
8.Jack Dempsey
These species have a poor reputation for aggression and are better left to skilled attendants. Jack Dempsey Cichlids usually remain at the lower to middle tank levels.They are 10 to 15 CM long and require at least 80 gallons. The cichlids do not kill living plants and flourish with a sandy substratum.
9.The Fox Fish
The flying fox fish belongs to the Cyprinidae family. This species can live up to eight years; it can grow to six inches in the aquarium. One would need at least a100 gallon tank to allow sufficient swimming area for the flying fox fish.
Establish the aquarium to imitate a bed in the river using gravel, rocks, roots, driftwood, and plants. Maintain temperatures between 68-78°F and 6-7.5 ph. An omnivorous diet and live and frozen veggies will support the flying fox.
10.The Stingray
The freshwater stingrays have a deadly barb on their tails for defense in case of danger. They are lower inhabitants, and the fully grown fish require tanks of up to 180 gallons. They mostly remain in the substratum waiting for food, mainly live food. Ensure you use a thin sand substratum to shield the stingray’s body against harm. The fish does well in 75-82 °F temps and a pH level of 6.8-7.6.
11.Severum
These are medium-sized species, making the best Arowana tank mate, as the Arowanas cannot feed on them. The Severum are intelligent and can be trained to feed on the Aquarist fingers.
12.Green Terrors
These species’ bright-green tones contrast well with the Arowana’s hues. The male ones are capable of digging up and altering with the aquascapes.
13.Clown Loaches
These are lower inhabitants while in the aquarium, and they’ll stay away from Arowana. The Loaches also happily move in large tanks, but at least four or five of the Loaches are needed to promote their nature. The clown loaches are a colorful and beautiful swimmer in the aquarium, and they appreciate many hidden niches which can be built with solid plants, rocks, wood, and tunnels.
14.Silver Dollar Fish
Since Arowanas have a great appetite and wider mouths, Tetras and other fresh fish cannot be used as the Arowana tank mates. Instead, one will need bigger fish such as the Silver Dollar fish. The Silver dollars are somewhat more colorful than the other kinds, though they are all metallic silver in color and lovely.
If you have an aquarium planted for your Silver Dollars, it won’t work well as these fish feed on the vegetation. They feed on every green plant, including hard, bitter plants such as Anubias. Ensure you stick only with plastic decor and give them plenty ofspirulina and white vegetables.
15.Fire Eel
The spiny-like Fire Eels grow up to 3 feet long and usually stay at the bottom of the aquarium. They, however, dart across the entire aquarium in search of food. They should also be provided with a gravel substrate for them to submerge.
16.Oscars
The species have long been a staple for aquarium trading. It is impressive, not and it has an affectionate nature. It is possible to train the Oscars to feed off your finger. Oscars come in various colors, such as Red and Albino. They grow rapidly enough to catch up with the Arowana, and they are both carnivores. They are particularly long-lived and can reach the age of 15-20 in the appropriate conditions.
17.The Black Ghost Knife fish
This is an enormous snake-like lower aquarium dweller but is rather shy, especially the evening fish. They need to hide and usually prefer a PVC or a plastic tube to be protected throughout their body. The piping also probably inhibits some of the electromagnetic stimulation they continually absorb.
The knife fish are real electric fish and can speak to each other through electrical signals. These species feed on small fish and worms, such as earthworms.
18.Catfish
The Arowana and Red Tail catfish species are fast-growing, but the Red Tail catfish have exceptionally wide jaws and grow slightly longer. A large and fully grown Catfish may feed on the Arowana if it does not keep up. The Catfish, however, feed on goldfish feeders and fresh shrimp.
As major predators, specialized formulas with the proper nutrient combination should also be supplied, for instance, Hikari’s Massivore Delite.
19.The Bichir fish
This is a native of Africa and lives in freshwater regions. It consumes live food but can also take pellets and flocks. Bichir fish species are reluctant to get food, and you need to be careful to ensure they get fair amounts during the feeding period.
The various other fish that can make good Arowana tank mates include;
The Bala Sharks
Peacock Bass, and,
The Tinfoil Barb fish.
Conclusion
Arowanas alongside equally sized freshwater fish species can be comfortably maintained. However, it would help best if you used a spacious installation as some of the listed species can grow extraordinarily large.
It could also be costly and challenging to raise some of the above-discussed species. If you would like to have one for your Arowana tank, ensure you keenly go through this article and choose the best. Ensure the made choice is economical and you are capable of maintaining the aquarium.
Let’s have a look this video below for more 10 Best Arowana Tank Mates;
