How to Breed Dragon Fish

Arowanas, also known as dragon fish, offer freshwater fish breeders a challenge and opportunity to make good money. These large, fascinating fish require an extremely large aquarium, controlled water conditions and careful temperature monitoring to get them to breed. These endangered fish average 35 inches in length. Arowanas species include grey-tailed, yellow-tailed, red-tailed golden and gold crossback. Learn how to breed dragon fish, which are difficult to breed.

Purchasing

Determine a reputable dealer to purchase from. Arowanas are difficult to find because they are on the endangered species list and quite expensive. Fish are shipped in from Thailand, Singapore and Malesia. Search the Internet for specialty shops that deal in dragon fish.

Contact the Arowana Centre, which sells young dragon fish over the Internet with guaranteed live delivery. These fish are five to six inches in length and are too young to breed. Breeders must be a minimum of three to four years of age. This size of fish is $850 with a minimum of 10 fish. You might check with this seller for recommendations of where you can purchase breeding stock.

Consider your pocketbook and aquarium resources before making an investment. Dragon fish cannot be sexed in a tank. They must first pair off to know which ones are males and females. You can purchase a breeding pair or at least a half a dozen and hope that some will pair off. These fish are quite picky about who they mate with and when. Typically a pair will only mate on average one to three times per year.

Aquarium Requirements

Setup a minimum of a 300-gallon tank. Arowana require a typical freshwater aquarium setup with a heater, filtration system, lighting and gravel. It is very important that the tank has a secure cover to prevent jumping. Make sure the aquarium stand is secure and capable of holding a 300-gallon tank filled with water.

Temperature

Obtain the best breeding results by researching temperature requirements for your specific species of dragon fish. Each species has slightly different temperature requirements and the closer that you keep the tank temperature to their needs, the more likely they are to mate. Average temperatures range from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water Conditions

Purchase water testing kits prior to placing any fish into the tank. Test the pH levels for nitrites and ammonia. Adequate water tests should read zero for both. If needed purchase water additives to adjust the levels. Unlike raising tropical fish, which tolerate a wide span of water conditions, dragon fish have very specific requirements.

Learn what the pH requirements are for your variety and adjust the water pH accordingly. Many species are happy with a pH reading of 7.0, but some prefer as low as 6.0 or as high as 7.5.

Breeding

Introduce the Arowana into the tank when you have met all the temperature and water conditions. Do not keep any other species of community fish in the tank with this species. With sharp teeth and large sizes they will eat other community fish.

Keep Asian arowanas on a high-quality meat diet. These surface feeders prefer live food such as crickets, shrimp, mealworms, earthworms, centipedes and even feeder fish.
Allow the breeders to adjust to their new tank mates and the new tank. Females will lay eggs and the male will fertilize them. After the babies hatch, the male will scoop the babies into his mouth and guard them for the first two months. With luck, you may have a breeding pair and babies in the near future.