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- 🐉 Do Dragon Fish Belong in Tanks?
🐉 Do Dragon Fish Belong in Tanks?
The Truth About Keeping This Living Legend at Home
Hey , dreaming of owning a Dragon Fish? Or do you already have one? — the majestic, mythical beauty of aquariums?
Many admire them, but few realize they’re:
Powerful
Sensitive
Far from easy to care for!
Without the right setup, these fish suffer — becoming stressed, aggressive, or sick, costing owners time, money, and heartache.
Let’s uncover how to properly care for Dragon Fish…
What Exactly is a Dragon Fish?
The Dragon Fish — better known as Arowana — is a freshwater species prized for its shimmering metallic scales, graceful movement, and ancient history.
Native to rivers and lakes in Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia, Arowanas are often called the “Kings of the Aquarium.”
They’re seen as symbols of wealth, luck, and power in Asian culture — and it’s easy to see why.
Why Are They So Challenging? 🤔
Dragon Fish are not beginner-friendly.
🔷 They Need:
Massive Tanks — At least 150-250 gallons. They can grow over 2-3 feet long.
Perfect Water Conditions — They’re sensitive to poor water quality. Strong filtration is essential.
Secure Lids — Dragon Fish are famous for leaping several feet out of tanks!
Special Diet — A mix of high-protein pellets, live insects, shrimp, and fish.
❌ Keeping them in small tanks.
❌ Using poor filtration or irregular cleaning.
❌ Housing them with small, slow fish — Dragon Fish are predators.
❌ Forgetting to cover the tank — they WILL jump.
How To Set Up The Perfect Dragon Fish Tank?
Tank Size:Minimum of 150 gallons for young Arowanas. Mature fish need 250 gallons or more. | Tank Shape:Long, rectangular tanks are best for swimming space. | Decorations:Keep it simple — smooth rocks, driftwood, and open space for swimming. |
Temperature:75°F to 82°F | pH Level:6.0 to 7.5 | Filtration:Strong, with regular water changes (20-30% weekly) |
🧐 What About Tank Mates?
Dragon Fish are territorial. Ideal tank mates are:
Avoid small or aggressive fish — they may become prey or provoke the Arowana.
Fun Fact Corner:
→ In feng shui, a healthy Dragon Fish symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. Some collectors pay thousands of dollars for rare color variations like golden or red Arowanas.
→ The Asian Arowana is protected by international law (CITES) — making it illegal to import/export without special permits.
Community Spotlight
What a beautiful little silver arowana — such an awesome save! 🐟❤️
We love seeing stories like this in the group — it reminds us what fishkeeping is really about.
Don’t be shy y’all — drop a comment, share your advice, or just show Amanda some love for giving this fish a second chance! 👏
🐟 Happy Fishkeeping!
Who else has experience with Arowanas? 💬
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