Arowana

[lucky62]

It is the spacial requirements that would dictate such a large tank, not just volume.

Arrowanas can be safely housed with most large fish that are not top-swimmers (or will not fit in their mouths). Some good choices would be shovelnose or red-tail cats, jaguar cichlids, peacock bass, black belts, pacu, synspilum, payara, mozambique mouthbrooders, clown knife, etc...

As far a people with big tanks in their homes, I know of 5 offhand and could likely find a few more with only a quick phonecall to any of those families. The smallest is 8 x 6 x 4, one is 10 x 4 x 4, another 12 x 3 x 3, yet another 16 x 4 x 4 (WOW!!), and the last 12 x 4 x 4.

I agree these tanks belong in a zoo, but there is no reason why the average person with a healthy budget and dedication to the hobby cannot do it themselves. BTW, some of those people with the big tanks keep average sized aquarium fish. They just like a more natural display, and the effect is stunning! The one that is 6' deep is an incredible example of how fish live in different strata in the wild.

What it boils down to is: know what you are buying, and prepare for it before you buy it. With these fish, by the time you 'get around to it', it has already outgrown your 100 gallon tank. There are a limited number of people with that kind of dedication to their hobby, and when you are trying to get rid of your fish that has outgrown you tank, they already have what they want, and they don't want yours.

/Kris

You have good points , and I won't say everyone because I'm sure many people have money to spend as well as the dedication to care for the animals , but what about the people that just don't understand how big these fish get . How long will a well cared for arowana live ? I myself have no idea . I've had fish live for 8 years and counting . Sometimes I get bored with a species in a year or 2 , and I trade them off . It isn't so easy with larger fish , and zoos and public aquariums don't need all that many [ most pet stores dont want them] . What I' m talking about is the people who see the fish and have to have it . what happens after they get bored of the fish , it happens . Obviously you care , I do to . I just think that even a 15" fish no less 3 or 4 footer is [are ] to big for the majority of people that keep fish .

 

[copeina]

Exactly.

... which is why we have these forums, and hopefully people ask questions before they buy an animal they're not familiar with.

 

[Eelzor]

Eelzor-What is the point of building an 80g pond when it will only house them for a couple of months, either build a pond of 300gallons or get a much bigger tank.

Well, considering I had the pond before I was even into fish, I am using it. But it depends on how fast they grow. CFC said about an 1 inch a month. It's enough time for me to get a bigger one later. I am not paying anything too, it's not that much trouble for me.

Edit: Well, I just properly read what copeina and lucky where talking about, its quite true. I'll just go straight to the 300 gallon then.

 

[lucky62]

Exactly.

... which is why we have these forums, and hopefully people ask questions before they buy an animal they're not familiar with.

"Some people still won't get it , but we must keep trying "

 

[Eelzor]

"Some people still won't get it , but we must keep trying "

Well, you helped me.

 

[ryan]

Ok Eelzor, sounds like a good idea. Just think about though, you buy I two inch guy and in 8 months he is looking to have a bigger home .

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[lucky62]

"Some people still won't get it , but we must keep trying "

Well, you helped me.

I'm happy " we" helped you " Eelzor . Everyones opinion matters , and yes let us know how it goes .

 

[Eelzor]

I'm happy " we" helped you " Eelzor .

Whats with all the quotation marks in that sentence?

Anyway, I heard the arowanas can jump out of the water, what type of covering would I need?

 

[lucky62]

uh - oh , my grammer s**ks .In your previous reply you quoted me , what my quotation marks ment were everyone helped , that's all .




p.s , what happened to the guy that asked the question in the first place ?

 

[vantgE]

saw a 1 and a half foot one with a full sized clown loach, and the clown was the one picking on it but i understand this isn't full size for arrowna howver this might be an option