Common Name: Albino Silver Arowana
Scientific Name: Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
Other Names: White Arowana, Albino Arowana, Leucistic Arowana
The Albino Silver Arowana is a striking and highly prized freshwater fish known for its distinctive appearance and impressive size that has been selectively bred in captivity for its unique coloration.
The Albino Silver Arowana is typically white or yellow in color with a long, sleek body and large scales. Its most distinctive feature is its powerful, elongated jaw, which is filled with sharp teeth. Despite their impressive size and predatory nature, these fish are popular with aquarium enthusiasts due to their unique appearance and graceful swimming style.
It has a distinct bright yellow body with red eyes and pearly white and gold scales, making it a highly sought after species in the aquarium trade. While commonly referred to as "albino" in the trade, these fish are actually leucistic, meaning they lack pigmentation in their scales, but retain some color in their eyes.
In the wild, the Silver Arowana is found in the Amazon basin, but the Albino Silver Arowana has never been reported in the wild. These fish require a large aquarium with plenty of swimming space, as they are active swimmers and can grow quite large.
Habitat and Distribution:
The Albino Silver Arowana is strictly captivity bred and is not found in the wild. However, its wild-type counterpart, the Silver Arowana, is native to the Amazon River basin in South America. This species is typically found in slow-moving, oxygen-rich rivers and streams with sandy or muddy bottoms. In the wild, Silver Arowanas can grow up to three feet in length and live for over 20 years.
Size and Lifespan:
The Albino Silver Arowana can grow up to three feet in length, although they are often kept in smaller tanks due to their size. In captivity, they typically live for 10-15 years, although some individuals have been known to live for up to 20 years.
Diet and Behavior:
The Albino Silver Arowana is a carnivorous predator that feeds on a variety of prey in the wild, including fish, crustaceans, and insects. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of high-quality pellets, frozen or live fish, and other meaty foods.
These fish are known for their predatory behavior, and can be aggressive towards smaller fish and other tank mates. They require a large, spacious aquarium with plenty of swimming room to accommodate their size and behavior.
Breeding and Reproduction:
Breeding the Albino Silver Arowana in captivity is a difficult and time-consuming process that requires specialized equipment and expertise. Successful breeding usually requires a large, well-established breeding tank with optimal water conditions, as well as careful selection of breeding pairs and hormone injections to stimulate spawning.
Aquarium Care and Tank Requirements:
The Albino Silver Arowana requires a large, spacious aquarium with plenty of room to swim and turn around. A minimum tank size of 250 gallons is recommended for a single adult fish. The aquarium should be heavily filtered and well-oxygenated to maintain good water quality, and a strong current is recommended to mimic their natural environment.
The water temperature should be kept between 75-82°F with a pH of 6.5-7.5. A low to medium level of hardness is recommended. Regular water changes and maintenance are essential to keep these fish healthy and happy.
Ideal Tank Mates:
The Albino Silver Arowana should be kept with large, peaceful tank mates that are too large to be viewed as prey, such as large catfish or other large cichlids. It is important to avoid keeping them with smaller fish or fish that are known to be aggressive or territorial.
Difficulty Level:
The Albino Silver Arowana is considered to be a difficult fish to keep due to its large size and specific water quality requirements. However, with proper care and attention, they can make a stunning addition to a large, well-maintained aquarium.
Water Parameters:
Additional Information:
Albino Silver Arowanas are highly prized by aquarists for their striking coloration and impressive size.
These fish are illegal to own in some parts of the world due to their protected status.
Albino Silver Arowanas require a large amount of care and attention, including proper water quality, diet, and tank maintenance.
