The Arowana, often called “dragon fish” due to their distinctive appearance, are freshwater fish. This article explores the natural environments where Arowana species thrive worldwide.
Arowana: The Iconic Dragon Fish
Arowana are elongated, bony-tongued freshwater fish with a striking presence. They have large, metallic scales and a prominent lower jaw with two sensory barbels.
Their upturned mouths are adapted for surface feeding. This, along with their large scales and vibrant coloration, earned them the name “dragon fish,” particularly in Asian cultures where they symbolize good luck.
Global Homes of Dragon Fish
Arowana species are found in freshwater environments across three continents: South America, Southeast Asia, and Australia. This widespread distribution highlights their adaptability to diverse aquatic systems. The genus Osteoglossum is native to South America, while the genus Scleropages is found in Asia and Australia.
In South America, species such as the Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) inhabit vast river basins, including the Amazon, Essequibo, and Oyapock systems. Across Southeast Asia, various types of Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus) are distributed throughout countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Australia and New Guinea are home to species like the Jardini Arowana (Scleropages jardinii) and the Southern Saratoga (Scleropages leichardti), found in river systems and associated wetlands.
Life in the Water: Habitat Characteristics
Arowana typically inhabit slow-moving or still freshwater environments. These include rivers, lakes, swamps, and flooded forests. They often prefer areas with submerged vegetation, tree roots, or overhanging branches, which provide cover and hunting grounds.
The water in their natural habitats is generally warm, with temperatures ranging from approximately 24°C to 30°C. While pH and hardness can vary, their preferred conditions are often slightly acidic to neutral water. Many of these environments, particularly in Southeast Asia, are characterized as blackwater systems, stained brown by decaying organic material.
As surface dwellers, Arowana’s upturned mouths are well-suited for feeding. They are known to leap from the water to catch prey from overhanging branches, influencing their preference for habitats with overhead cover and access to terrestrial insects.
Variations Among Dragon Fish Habitats
Specific Arowana species exhibit nuanced habitat preferences reflecting their geographic origins.
The Silver Arowana of South America thrives in the floodplains of the Amazon River Basin. These areas can include both blackwater and whitewater habitats, and the fish are particularly abundant in flooded regions during periods of inundation. They frequently occupy slow-moving tributaries, backwaters, and lagoons during the dry season, moving into flooded forests when water levels rise.
Asian Arowana, native to Southeast Asia, are often found in blackwater rivers and slow-moving waters within forested swamps and wetlands. They prefer areas with a steady water flow and deeper sections of rivers, as well as flooded forests during the rainy season. These environments provide ample food sources, hiding spots, and breeding opportunities among dense aquatic vegetation and submerged tree roots.
The Australian Arowana species, such as the Jardini Arowana and Southern Saratoga, inhabit slow-moving rivers, floodplains, and swampy areas in northern Australia and New Guinea. Jardini Arowana tend to favor murky waters with submerged vegetation and floating debris, utilizing these elements for cover while ambushing prey. Southern Saratoga are also found in still waters and slow-flowing sections of streams, often near the surface or along the shore among aquatic vegetation. They are known to seek shelter under lily pads and fallen logs.