Arowanas are renowned for their magnificent appearance and their lineage, symbolizing power, status, and wealth, earning them the title of "living fossils of fish." So, which arowana is the most captivating? In the following content, we will introduce ten of the most striking arowana species: Blood Red Arowana, Chili Red Arowana, Orange Red Arowana, Overback Golden Arowana, Red-tailed Golden Arowana, High-backed Red-tailed Golden Arowana, and Green Arowana. Their vibrant colors and elegant forms have made them gems among ornamental fish. Let's admire their beauty together.
1. Blood Red Arowana
There are relatively few native species of red arowana, with only two: the Chili Red Arowana and the Blood Red Arowana. These two species are renowned for their stunning appearance and rarity, earning them the title of the premier red arowanas. However, the Blood Red Arowana is even rarer, considered one of the most precious fish in the world. At the 2004 Singapore International Fish Show, a Blood Red Arowana sold for a staggering 5 million RMB, setting an astonishing record. The Blood Red Arowana is highly praised for its appearance, with a slender body, round head, and fan-shaped tail, appearing slightly smaller than the Chili Red Arowana. However, the Blood Red Arowana has a darker coloration and develops its color later, presenting an overall deep red appearance, resembling a brilliant sheen of fresh blood.
2. Chili Red Dragon Fish
Due to its endangered status, the red arowana was listed as a Class A protected animal under the Washington Convention on the Protection of Wild Fauna and Flora (COP1) in 1980, making it exceptionally valuable. Because of the scarcity of native species, only the chili red arowana, blood red arowana, and orange red arowana exist today. The chili red and blood red arowanas are highly prized and rare, considered the number one red arowana, while the orange red arowana is considered the number two, and its price is slightly lower. The chili red arowana develops its color slowly, displaying a bright red hue, with scales that are mostly green, brown, or gold, giving it a captivating and dazzling array of colors. In Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, various red arowanas at different stages of their growth can fetch prices exceeding one million yuan, thus being seen as a symbol of wealth and status.
3. Orange-red Arowana
The Orange-Red Arowana, also known as the Tangerine Arowana, doesn't have the same vibrant red coloration as the Chili Arowana or Blood Arowana. Its scales are orange-red, some even with a hint of yellow. Nevertheless, the Orange-Red Arowana is still a very captivating golden arowana. Generally, they can reach 90 cm in length, and are notable for their rounded heads in their youth. Adult Orange-Red Arowanas don't have red gill covers, but rather an orange-red hue. While their price isn't as high as the former two, their stunning appearance and imposing presence are still captivating. As a member of the arowana family, the Orange-Red Arowana possesses a robust physique and a strong adaptability to its environment, making it a relatively easy ornamental fish to keep.
4. Crossback Golden Arowana
The Golden Arowana is, in my opinion, one of the most captivating arowanas. Its allure lies in the dazzling brilliance of its scales. Adult Golden Arowanas are covered entirely in slightly greenish-gold scales, while the scale borders display delicate pink and golden hues. This beautiful sight extends across the entire back, with the bright scales on the sides reaching up to the fourth row, and in some cases even the fifth. Over time, the metallic scales of the Golden Arowana deepen and thicken, making it even more noble and elegant, exuding a majestic aura.
5. Red-tailed Arowana
Which type of arowana is considered the most precious? The Red-tailed Golden Arowana is also highly regarded, reaching up to 80 cm in length. Its distinguishing feature is a red anal fin, while the upper part of the dorsal and caudal fins is dark brown. The scales near the base of the dorsal fin lack golden scale borders, and the fifth row of scales from the ventral side has no scale borders at all. Compared to the Red-tailed Golden Arowana, the Red-tailed Golden Arowana has a red lower lobe of its caudal fin, a dark green back, dorsal fin, and upper caudal fin, and beautiful golden scale borders on the fourth row of scales from the ventral side. Generally, the Red-tailed Golden Arowana can live for about eighteen years, with a relatively long growth and development period. Females take six to twelve years, while males take five to sixteen years to reach reproductive maturity.
6. High-backed Golden Arowana
The Red-tailed Arowana is a subspecies bred from the Golden Arowana and the Red-tailed Arowana, combining the advantages of both. Therefore, it is not only aesthetically pleasing but also one of the easiest Arowanas to raise. The most distinctive feature of the High-backed Arowana is its straight lines along its head and back. The edges of its scales, tail fin, dorsal fin, and anal fin are all golden yellow. The dark green scale borders on its back shimmer with a golden sheen, while the gill covers display a captivating golden yellow. Although not as vibrant in color as the High-backed Arowana, the High-backed Red-tailed Arowana still exhibits exquisite beauty.
7. Green Dragon Fish
The Green Arowana, also known as the Blue Arowana, is considered one of the most captivating species of Asian arowana. In Singapore, it is also called the Green Arowana. Compared to other Asian arowanas, the Green Arowana is relatively small. Mature Green Arowanas have silvery gill covers, and the scales on their sides are transparent with bluish-green spots, the scale borders are not prominent, and they have a slight pinkish tinge. The three fins at the rear of the body are brownish with grayish-blue streaks, while the fourth and fifth rows of scales emit an elegant pale blue sheen. Top-quality Green Arowanas may have a pale blue or purple hue on the upper half of their bodies. Green Arowanas are very docile and easy to keep with other fish.
8. Silver Arowana
Silver arowanas are mainly distributed in the Amazon River and its tributaries in South America, and their populations are abundant. This fish has a silvery-white body and a slender, flattened shape, which is its biggest difference from golden and red arowanas. The entire body of the silver arowana is metallic silver, shimmering and glowing. Its dorsal and anal fins extend backward, while its caudal fin is relatively short. Five rows of large scales are neatly arranged on its broad body, shimmering silver in the light. Each fin reflects a brilliant red or orange sheen under the light. When swimming, the silver arowana is elegant and charming. It is also long-lived and easy to keep, making it a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts.
9. Snow Dragon Fish
Which type of arowana is the most captivating? The albino variant of the silver arowana, commonly known as the Snow Arowana, often attracts considerable attention. This arowana is extremely rare, with a pure, snow-white body and remarkably fine scales. Its body leans towards white or silver, with a distinctive metallic sheen. Similar in shape to the regular silver arowana, it has a laterally compressed, ribbon-like body. Its dorsal and anal fins are ribbon-like, extending backward to form a fan-shaped tail, and its pectoral fins are relatively large. The entire Snow Arowana exudes a fresh and noble beauty, with its snow-white color showcasing a dignified elegance. This Snow Arowana may only exist in one out of thousands of ordinary silver arowanas, making it extremely precious and relatively expensive, but it is not particularly difficult to keep.
10. Black Arowana
The Black Arowana, also known as the Black Bone Arowana, is a captivating arowana native to the Rio Negro River basin. The river's name translates to "Black River" in Spanish, thus linking the arowana's name to the river. The "black" in its name originates from the black camouflage the arowana develops during its juvenile stage to avoid attacks from other fish in the river. A healthy Black Arowana will have red anal and dorsal fins. The Black Bone Arowana, with its black body accented with red and blue, possesses a unique beauty. Its predominantly dark appearance, combined with its mysterious and captivating eyes, makes it a favorite among fish enthusiasts.
