What food does Arowana eat?

The diet for an Arowana, often nicknamed the "Dragon Fish" due to its majestic appearance, centers firmly on its carnivorous nature. These large, predatory freshwater fish require a diet rich in protein to sustain their rapid growth and impressive size. Understanding what to feed them is crucial, but how and how often they are fed dictates their long-term health and coloration. Arowanas are surface feeders by nature, meaning their natural prey often comes from above the water line, which influences the best presentation of their meals.

# Natural Diet Staples

In their native habitats, Arowanas consume a variety of living creatures. This natural feeding tendency points toward feeding them whole, natural foods in captivity, which helps ensure a balanced nutritional intake.

Insects and Terrestrial Prey
Insects form a significant part of the wild diet for many Arowana species. Owners commonly offer crickets, grasshoppers, and large insects like mealworms or silkworms. When feeding insects, it is a common practice among keepers to "gut-load" them first—feeding the feeder insects a highly nutritious diet—to pass those nutrients directly to the Arowana. This practice is essential because the nutritional value of the prey directly reflects the health of the fish eating it.

Aquatic Feeders
Fish form another cornerstone of the Arowana diet, especially as the fish matures. Small, high-quality feeder fish, such as guppies or minnows, are often fed to younger specimens. However, there is significant debate and caution regarding the use of feeder fish. Some experienced keepers strongly advise against using random, unknown feeder fish, as they can introduce diseases or parasites into the main aquarium. A common recommendation is to only feed commercially raised fish or, if using wild-caught fish, to quarantine and treat them first. For larger Arowanas, slightly larger feeder fish or even pieces of market fish like shrimp or smelt are appropriate.

Crustaceans and Mollusks
Shrimp, especially freshwater varieties, are excellent dietary additions. They provide good texture and necessary proteins. Some keepers also provide occasional, appropriately sized chunks of squid or cut-up prawns.

# Prepared Foods

While whole foods mimic the natural diet, relying solely on live or fresh items can sometimes lead to dietary imbalances or raise concerns about disease transmission. Therefore, high-quality commercial foods are recommended as supplements or primary staples, particularly for species like the Silver Arowana.

Pellets and Sinking Foods
Many modern commercial Arowana diets are formulated into sinking or floating pellets. High-quality pellets should be the foundation of the diet for many keepers, especially when trying to ensure a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals not easily obtained from varied live feeds. For fish that are hesitant to eat prepared foods, keepers often recommend floating pellets, as this matches the Arowana's natural upward feeding orientation.

For Pearl Arowanas specifically, one owner noted success using sinking pellets because the fish preferred chasing food that moved slightly, even if sinking, over static floating items, though this preference can vary by individual fish. If an Arowana is reluctant to take pellets, gently pushing the pellet slightly below the surface with a feeding stick can sometimes trigger the feeding response, encouraging it to switch from exclusively live prey.

Frozen Alternatives
Frozen foods are a good middle ground between live prey and dry pellets. Items like frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, or krill can be offered. It is absolutely critical that any frozen food is thoroughly thawed and rinsed before being presented to the fish to wash away any harmful preservatives or excess moisture.

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# Feeding Frequency

The amount and frequency of feeding depend heavily on the Arowana's age and size.

Younger, rapidly growing Arowanas require more frequent feeding to support their development. Juvenile fish might be fed multiple times a day, though only small amounts at each feeding. As the fish grows larger, the frequency can be reduced.

For mature, adult Arowanas, feeding once a day or even every other day is often sufficient to maintain good health. Overfeeding is a serious concern, as it leads to digestive issues, poor water quality, and potentially obesity, which can affect swimming ability and overall lifespan. A simple rule of thumb adopted by many aquarists is to only feed what the fish can consume completely within about five minutes.

A specific consideration for massive Silver Arowanas, which can grow very large, is that a diet heavily reliant on just one food type—like only small live feeders—can lead to deficiencies or an overly aggressive feeding response that makes them difficult to manage later. Varying the diet is paramount to avoid this nutritional stagnation.

# Dietary Nuances

While Arowanas are generally carnivores, there are slight variations in dietary requirements depending on the species, though most sources focus on general carnivorous needs. Asian Arowanas, like the Red or Golden varieties, are sometimes perceived as requiring a slightly richer, more varied diet mirroring that of their diverse jungle river habitats.

Silver Arowanas, which grow substantially larger and are highly active hunters, might benefit more readily from larger prey items as they mature to keep their powerful jaws occupied and their systems robustly fed. One keeper noted that once their Silver Arowana reached a certain size, it became much less interested in smaller insects and demanded larger fish or shrimp pieces, suggesting a shift in prey preference tied to mouth size and appetite. Observing your specific fish's behavior is the best guide; if they consistently spit out one type of food but devour another, adjust accordingly.

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# Feeding Technique and Safety

The delivery method is almost as important as the food itself, especially concerning the Arowana's strong feeding instinct.

Live vs. Prepared Presentation
Since Arowanas are surface feeders, offering food at the top of the water is ideal. For live foods, tossing them gently onto the surface allows the Arowana to perform its natural "strike" feeding behavior. When using prepared foods, using long tweezers or feeding tongs to present the food slightly below the surface can encourage cautious fish to eat.

A crucial consideration for long-term tank health is the balance between live feeding and processed foods. While live feeding triggers natural behavior, experts frequently warn against making it the only food source due to the potential for parasites, as mentioned previously. If you choose to feed live insects, ensure they are purchased from a reputable supplier, or follow careful captive rearing practices. If you notice your Arowana refusing food or showing signs of lethargy after a meal, immediately check the water parameters, as poor water quality can suppress appetite faster than a dietary issue alone.

A helpful, though slightly advanced, observation from experienced keepers is that when you feed can influence training. If a fish is known to be difficult to switch to pellets, feeding the pellet as the first meal of the day, followed by a preferred live/frozen treat later, can sometimes coax them into accepting the processed staple. This strategy exploits their hunger drive early on when they might be more willing to try something new.