In addition, the positive associations of feng shui with water and the red and gold colors make these fish popular for aquariums. One belief is that although water is a place where chi is collected, it is naturally a source of yin energy and must contain a “propitious” fish like an arowana in order to have balancing yang energy. [17] Another is that a fish can save its owner from death by dying itself. [20] When did Arovana fish become a black market product? Currently, the United States is the only country in the world with a great aquarium hobby that does not allow the keeping of the Asian Arowana. With an estimated 7 million U.S. households having aquariums, introducing legal Asian arowanas into U.S. trade would have a massive social and economic impact. These fish are often valued in the thousands of dollars, many of them costing five-figure sums. If these fish could be successfully bred in the United States, the economic boom in the hobby of aquarictics would be massive. In mature superred arowanas, the gills, lateral scales and fin membranes of these fish are metallic red, with an exact hue varying from golden to dark red. The back is dark brown. In young animals, the darker the coloration of the back, the deeper the red when ripe. [8] IUCN has not recently assessed the state of conservation.

[21] In addition, given the current confusion regarding the number of species and the wide distribution, the conservation status should be reviewed. All tribes are probably endangered, but some (especially the super redtail and red-tailed gold) are more critical than others. [8] The high value of the Asian Arowana as an aquarium fish has had an impact on its conservation. Its popularity has increased since the late 1970s and fans can pay thousands of Americans. dollars for one of these animals. [14] [25] Some color varieties are more at risk than others because red and gold varieties are less common and more in demand in aquarium trade. [7] A number of states have now passed medical laws on Arovana. High-backed Arowanas need such a large reservoir, because when they are adults, high-backed Arowanas can grow up to 36 inches or 3 feet long. If you`re considering buying an Arowana High Back, you need to make sure your filter and heater are strong enough for the massive tank. The temperature of a High Back Arovana tank should be between 75 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH of the water should be between 6.0 and 7.5.

It is also a territorial and somewhat aggressive species, meaning they may not fare well when placed in an aquarium with other fish. High-backed Arowanas are also carnivores and do not hesitate to eat anything that fits in their mouth. The biggest obstacle most people face when trying to buy any type of Asian Arowana is that they are endangered species. Being an endangered species means that they are allowed to be sold illegally in many countries, including the United States. Although it is illegal, many people are still trying to import Asian arowana species. Those who are sufficiently committed should not have much difficulty importing an Asian Arowana, although the price is likely to be high. We do not recommend importing illegal species, including the Asian Arowana. Habitat decline is a major threat. For example, Asian arowanas are now rare in the Malay Peninsula, where they were once widespread, due to environmental degradation. [14] Inclusion in the IUCN Red List was originally based not on biological reasons but on practical reasons: although they are widespread in Southeast Asia, they have been heavily collected by aquarium collectors. However, habitat loss is likely to be a greater threat than collecting aquariums. [14] When an Arowana dies in a home for any reason, it is often seen as a noble sacrifice that takes away any misfortune or misfortune that would otherwise have happened to that family.

Believe it or not, it`s a comforting idea that erases the negative stigma associated with death. In short, this petition suggests that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services are working to allow LEGAL, captive-bred, CITES-approved Asian Arowanas to enter the country. There is no harm to wild populations of Arovana, and the results would be extreme for the American hobby of aquariums. Asian arowanas were classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List in 2006, with the last assessment dating back to 1996. [21] International trade in these fish is governed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), under which they were included in Appendix I, the most restrictive category, in 1975. [22] S. formosus is one of eight species of fish listed in Appendix I.

[23] A number of registered CITES breeders are located in Asia, and the specimens they produce may be imported into several countries. Other nations restrict or prohibit the possession of Asiatic Arowana; For example, the United States has listed this species under the Endangered Species Act, so it cannot be kept in that country without permission. [24] Because they can grow up to 90 cm (35 inches) long, Asian Arowanas need large aquariums. They are territorial and can only be kept in a very large aquarium with other scleropages, provided that all fish are of similar size. Like other arowanas, they require a waterproof cover to prevent leakage. [23] Water should be well filtered, soft and slightly acidic, and maintained at a temperature of 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F). [23] Silvery Asiatic arowanas with gray tails and yellow tails are dark grey on the back and silvery on the sides, with dark annular spots on the lateral scales and a silvery or whitish belly. In yellow-tailed specimens, the skins are yellowish with dark gray rays.

In grey-tailed specimens, the fins are uniformly dark grey. [8] Unfortunately, Asian Arowanas are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN and are listed in Appendix I of CITES. A number of factors contribute to this status, with habitat loss being the leader. The Endangered Species Act, enacted in 1973, currently prohibits fish farmers in the United States from possessing Asian arowanas. Asian Arowanas are considered symbols of luck and prosperity, especially by people from Asian cultures. This call derives from the species` similarity to the Chinese dragon, which is considered an auspicious symbol. [19] Large metal scales and double mullet are features shared by the Chinese dragon, and large pectoral fins are believed to make the fish look like “a dragon in flight.” [16] Asian Arowanas differ from the Australian generics Scleropages jardinii and Scleropages leichardti by fewer lateral scales (21-26) (compared to 32-36 for Australian species), longer pectoral and pelvic fins, and a longer anterior snout. [8] (The average lifespan of fish is 10 to 15 years; if you want an Arowana that lasts a little longer, check out this Arowana sculpture made of jade, opal and marble, which sells on eBay for $5.8 million.) The fact that the coveted species is threatened with extinction only adds to its intrigue (some people have been arrested for smuggling).

Arowanas are an extremely unique species of fish. Arowana are sometimes called bony tongues. The name of the bony tongue comes from one of their unique characteristics – a bony plate in the lower part of its mouth that has teeth. This bony plate is its only distinguishing feature; Arowanas tend to have long, slender bodies covered with scales, as well as dumbbells that come from the tip of their jaw.