The Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus) has been classified as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List since 1996 and is listed on Appendix I of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Certain strains, like the super red variety, could possibly be considered critically endangered. It is indigenous to several regions around Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, and was introduced to Singapore.
The Arowana is a freshwater fish that lives in natural lakes, blackwater systems, flooded forests, swamps (including peat swamps and areas beside peat), and deep, slow-moving portions of rivers that contain overhanging vegetative cover.
This fish only breeds once per year, with each breeding season taking about three months to complete. It is a mouthbrooding fish, meaning that it (the males in this case) keeps its fry in its mouth until they are able to swim freely. Harvesters usually capture the fry and sell them instead of the adult male (leaving the adult alive). However, in some cases these harvesters use methods that kill the male in order to release and capture the fry.
Young Arowana bred in a farm.
The Arowana is fairly large and is typically 40-60cm in length, although it can be as large as 90cm. It is a freshwater carnivorous fish, eating insects such as crickets and other fish as part of its diet. This fish is also able to jump out of the water in order to catch prey.
Red Arowana variety.
The most distinct characteristic of the Arowana has to be its brilliant scales. The gold crossback and super red varieties are especially highly valued as both a symbol and apparent bringer of fortune and good luck. The fish itself resembles a Chinese dragon, hence its nickname ‘dragonfish’.