Asian Arowana-Origin and Classification
(image source: Robin Arowana Farm)
The Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a freshwater fish indigenous to Southeast Asia where it inhabits slow moving waters, rivers and streams. Entirely carnivorous it has become an icon of cultural significance for its grace, longevity, incredible colour and stature and has earned the name Dragon Fish referencing the Chinese Dragon.
Currently an endangered species, it is bred under license and close monitoring by the Asian agricultural authorities, and each fish exported outside of Asia is microchipped (see microchipping , certified and licensed for transport
Asian Arowana can be categorised in the following varieties:
Green Arowana
Banjar Red (Red Grade 2, Red Grade 1.5, Yellow Tail Green)
Red Tail Golden Arowana
Golden Crossback Arowana
Tong Yang
Red Grade 1 Arowana (Super Red, Chilli Red)
Each of these varieties has developed completely independently from the others, with each colour originating from a different location in Asia.
Green Arowana - Indonesia
Banjar Red - Banjar Nasin
Red Tail Golden - Sumatra
Golden Crossback - Malaysia
Tong Yang - Hybrid between Golden Crossback and Red Grade 1
Red Grade 1 - Kalimantan (Kapaus River, Sentarum Lake)
The Value Aro
The value of the fish is determined by a number of factors:
Colour the definition and contrast of the colour increases the value, the more unusual combination and the more striking the colours the greater the value.
Depth of colour, the more of the body that is coloured the greater the value.
Dimensions, as always the proportions and size of the fish effect the value.
Blemishes, sunburn, marks, cuts, bites etc reduce the price of the fish.
Uniqueness, this takes many forms, if it is through deformity but a completely unique event, the price of the fish can be hugely elevated. Missing tail sections or deformed jaws that occur in a visually appealing way can make the fish very valuable to someone seeking something unusual. If the deformation is irregular it can completely devalue the fish.
Personality, due to the uniqueness of each fish and how they interact, their personalities and the connection a potential buyer has with the fish can set the value.
Age, although this does not directly effect the price, many of the above cannot be determined until the fish is approaching 24 months old. This means that although juvenile fish are significantly cheaper, they are a gamble as to the older fish you are purchasing. To guarantee elements the fish must be much older, by which time a higher price will be set. (Even with super red fish, one can not necessarily say if it will be red or orange if purchased below 12 inches).
Aspects of the Arowana
Growing to 35 inches in length it is not a fish for the small aquarium, requiring generally as an adult a 5ft x 3ft x 3ft tank as a minimum.
The most notable being:
They have large distinct scales arranged in 5 horizontal rows. The scales themselves contain several bandings colours with the most intense and appealing contrasts fetching the highest prices.
Distinct barbells protrude from the lower jaw and the large number of teeth and presence of bone in the mouth lead to the common name Bonytongue.
Long flowing pectoral and pelvic fins add to the graceful impact of the fish, and their powerful motion allows them to jump in excess of 6 feet from the surface of the water.
Cultural Beliefs
The Asian Arowana is considered auspicious by many, as well as being a symbol of wealth and stature. They embody several Feng Sui concepts of the Dragon complemented by Water bringing luck and tranquillity to the owner.
The Dragon Fish in Feng Sui
The Fish itself has a number of characteristics that fit within the principals of Feng Sui. The large scales and their colouring of Red or Golden demonstrate the existence of wealth and success. Being such a noble and dominant fish it also presents the character of strength and success which can be reflected on the owner. The large mouth that only collects food from the surface show how the fish can engulf success from above and draw it in for the owner.
Water is a place where chi gathers, it is naturally a source of yin energy containing an "auspicious" fish such as an Arowana e balances the yang and helps to dispel any negative energy in the household or office.
Also because the fish is so naturally effected by magnetic fields it is in keeping with the feng sui principals also based around the world’s magnetism and polarities.
Myths of Arowana
There are many stories of Arowana succumbing to ailments similar to their owners, and the owner subsequently recovering in record time. This extends to a believe that the fish may save its owner from death by dying itself. Often people who have come in contact with Arowana or the Arowana community hear stories of owners dying and shortly thereafter the fish jumping out the tank, or in a more fortunate of circumstances a miraculous escape from a car accident and on returning home the owner finds an Arowana died at around the same time as the accident.
As unbelievable as it sounds the number of stories and closeness of events does beg the question is there more to this than myth?
Asian Gold Arowana (Dragon Fish)
Asian arowana or Dragon fish or Asian bonytongue refers to several varieties of freshwater fish in the genus Scleropages.
Native to Southeast Asia, Asian arowanas inhabit blackwater rivers, slow-moving waters flowing through forested swamps and wetlands. Adults feed on other fish, while juveniles feed on insects.
These popular aquarium fish have special cultural significance in areas influenced by Chinese culture. The name dragon fish stems from their resemblance to the Chinese dragon.
Asian arowana scales are large (most over 2 cm in length) and have a delicate net pattern.Asian arowanas grow up to 90 cm (35 in) total length. Like all Scleropages, Asian arowanas have long bodies; large, elongate pectoral fins; dorsal and **** fins located far back on the body; and a much larger caudal fin than that of their South American relative, the silver arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum. The mouth is oblique with a very wide gape. The prominent lower jaw has two barbels at its tip. The gill rakers are stout. Asian arowanas bear teeth on the jaws, vomer, palatines, pterygoids, parasphenoid, and tongue.
Asian arowana scales are large, cycloid, and, in some species, metallic coloured, with a distinctive mosaic pattern of raised ribs. The lateral scales are arranged in horizontal rows numbered from the most ventral (first level) to the most dorsal (fifth level), with dorsal scales designated the sixth level.
Asian arowanas are distinguished from Australian congenerics S. jardinii and S. leichardti by having fewer (21-26) lateral line scales (versus 32-36 for the Australian species), longer pectoral and pelvic fins, and a longer anterior snout.
Reference
https://limdragonfish.com/blog/news.php?id=2