# Asian arowana (*Scleropages formosus*) The Asian arowana is a beautiful fish known for its shiny scales and long fins. It can swim gracefully in the water and is often called the 'dragon fish' because of its shape. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and lakes - **Also known as:** Arowana, Dragon Fish ![Asian arowana](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Arowana.jpg&width=800) Photo: Marcel Burkhard, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arowana.jpg) ## Appearance The Asian arowana has a long, slender body covered in large, metallic scales that shimmer in shades of gold, red, or green. Its large mouth is upturned, and it features prominent barbels near its jaw, giving it a distinctive, ancient look. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Osteoglossiformes - **Family:** Osteoglossidae - **Genus:** Scleropages ## Interesting facts - Fossils prove arowanas are 'living fossils,' hardly changing for millions of years! - Males protect their young by holding hundreds of eggs inside their mouths for weeks! - Often called 'dragon fish' due to their ancient look and shimmering, large scales! - They have a bony tongue that helps them crush and hold onto their slippery prey! ## Special abilities - **Sky Snapper:** Asian arowana can leap high out of the water to snatch prey from overhanging branches, helping them catch food. - **Shimmer Shield:** Asian arowana has reflective, iridescent scales that help them blend into their watery surroundings, avoiding predators. - **Paternal Protector:** Asian arowana can guard its eggs and fry in its mouth, protecting them from dangers until they hatch. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-90 cm - **Weight:** 2-7 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Swim Speed:** 12 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding They are active hunters that eat insects, fish, and other small animals. - **Age differences:** Young eat mostly insects; adults consume larger fish and amphibians. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Small fish, Frogs, Crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [False gharial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/false-gharial) (*Tomistoma schlegelii*) — A large crocodile that preys on fish. - **Eaten by:** Hairy-nosed otter (*Lutra sumatrana*) — Otters are clever hunters of fish. - **Hunts:** [Migratory locust](https://www.snappit.app/explore/migratory-locust) (*Locusta migratoria*) — Jumps to snatch these insects from branches. - **Hunts:** [Harlequin rasbora](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harlequin-rasbora) (*Rasbora heteromorpha*) — Preys on smaller fish near surface. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch fish from a distance and never try to touch them in the water. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Asian arowana? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Asian arowana? 60-90 cm ### How much does Asian arowana weigh? 2-7 kg ### How long does Asian arowana live? 15-20 years ### What does Asian arowana eat? They are active hunters that eat insects, fish, and other small animals. ### How fast can Asian arowana swim? 12 km/h ### Where is Asian arowana usually found? Freshwater rivers and lakes ### How does Asian arowana hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Belle Isle Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belle-isle-aquarium-us) — US · Aquarium ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Asian arowana: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/asian-arowana)