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What you should know about the auspicious dragonfish?

The dragon, long-associated with longevity, power and luck, is a much-revered icon in Chinese culture. Because the dragonfish (Asian Arowana) supposedly resembles the majestic mythical beast, it is an auspicious symbol to the Chinese. It has become a popular aquarium pet around Southeast Asia.

Believed to bring prosperity and wealth, this freshwater fish is especially well liked by businessmen and entrepreneurs. Many fish lovers also admire the fish for its whiskers because they resemble dragon’s horns—a sign of blessing. Then there are others who keep it to ward off evil and bring good luck to the home.
Super Red Arowana

Native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar, dragonfish come in various strains and are available predominantly in three color: red, gold, and green.

Super Red Arowana

Red ones, like Super Red Arowana, are the most expensive. And because of this, some sellers fake the red hue by using hormone treatments on their fish to hood wink clueless buyers.

One way to prevent being cheated is to get your fish from a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) registered farm, and check that the farm has a reputable sales record.
How To Raise A Dragonfish

Arowana are not hard to rear, but to ensure healthy growth and longevity, the owner should take care of the fish’s feeding habits and living environment. Here are a few tips for first-time owners.

Aquarium Tank: There should be ample space in the tank for this large-breed fish so that its growth will not be stunted. Take all the necessary measurements of the fish and the tank, to make sure you use an appropriately sized one. The only things needed in the tank are equipment for aeration and filtration; any other décor will pose the risk of damage to the fish during feeding.

Solo Creature: Aggressive by nature, the dragonfish gets along best with itself; it’s not advisable to put other fishes in the tank to “keep it company.”

Water Condition: Extremely sensitive to chlorinated water, the fish should be put into tap water that has been aged for at least a day. You can change the water weekly—but not the whole tank in one go. This is to avoid upsetting the fish (a third at a time is advised). There should also be no drastic changes in pH level or water temperature as it can endanger the fish.

Diet: Insects (live cockroaches, worms, and grasshoppers), small fishes (guppies and mollies) and frogs count as part of a dragonfish’s diet. Be very sure not to feed your fish insects that may have been in contact with pesticides or insecticides! While the feeding of adult fish should be kept to once daily, young ones can be fed up to two or three times a day.