Kolej Teknologi Paramount

KOLEJ TEKNOLOGI PARAMOUNT • NAME:VASANTHA KUMAR RUBAN A/L RAJARATNAM • TITLE:THE AROWANA FISH • COURSE:DEEE • LECTURES’S NAME:MISS ANILA DEVI

The Asian Arowana • The asian arowana is refered to several varieties of freshwater fish. • Some sources different these varieties into multiple species, while others consider the different strains to belong to a single species. • They have several other common names, including Asian bonytongue, dragon fish, and a number of names specific to different varieties. • Native to Southeast Asia, Asian arowanas inhabit blackwater rivers, slow-moving waters flowing through forested swamps and wetlands.

Evolution and taxonomy • Like all members of Osteoglossidae, Asian arowanas are highly adapted to fresh water and are incapable of surviving in the ocean. • Therefore, their spread throughout the islands of southeast Asia suggests they diverged from other osteoglossids before the continental breakup was complete. • Genetic studies have confirmed this hypothesis, showing that their ancestor of the Asian arowanas diverged from the ancestor of the Australian arowanas, S. jardinii and S. leichardti, about 140 million years ago.

The Asian Arowana found in • The green is the most common variety, found in Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. • The red-tailed golden is found in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. • The gold crossback, blue Malayan, or Bukit Merah blue is native to the state of Pahang and Bukit Merah area in Perak, Malaysia • The red, super red, blood red, or chili red is known only from the upper part of the Kapuas River in western Borneo, Indonesia. • The silver Asian the "grey tail silver" or "Pinoh arowana," and the "yellow tail silver," each found in a different part of the island of Borneo in Indonesia.

Description • Asian arowanas grow up to 90 cm (35 in) total length. •

Asian arowanas have long bodies; large, elongate pectoral fins; dorsal and anal fins located far back on the body.

• The mouth is oblique with a very wide gape. The prominent lower jaw has two barbels at its tip. • Asian arowana scales are large, cycloid, and, in some varieties, metallic coloured.

The type of Arowana • Green arowanas are dark green on the back, silvery or golden green on its sides, and silvery or whitish on its ventral surface, with dark greenish or bluish patches visible through the lateral scales. • Both grey-tailed and yellow-tailed silver Asian arowanas are dark grey on the back and silver on the sides, with dark ring patches on the lateral scales and a silvery or whitish belly. • Mature red-tailed golden arowanas have brilliant metallic gold lateral scales, gill covers, bellies, and pectoral and pelvic fin membranes, although the back is dark.

Behavior of Arowana • Asian arowanas are paternal mouth brooders. They are slow to reach sexual maturity and difficult to breed in captivity. • Two breeders reported success using a garden pond measuring 18 feet (5.5 m) by 18 feet (5.5 m) by 3.5 feet (1.1 m) deep, with pH maintained between 6.5 and 7.0. The fish were over five years old. • The successful harvest took place after the third spawning; in the first two spawning, the male swallowed the eggs, possibly due to improper water quality.

Cultural beliefs • Asian arowanas are considered "lucky" by many people, particularly those from Asian cultures. • This reputation derives from the species' resemblance to the Chinese dragon considered an auspicious symbol. • The large metallic scales and double barbel are features shared by the Chinese dragon, and the large pectoral fins are said to make the fish resemble "a dragon in full flight.“ • In addition, positive Feng Shui associations with water and the colours red and gold make these fishes popular for aquariums.

Mystical Beliefs • According to Chinese belief, dragon symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, strength and power. • Many Geomancer or Feng Shui Masters believe that the Golden Arowana or Dragon Fish can helps to ward off evil and misfortune.

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Beside its mythical beliefs, Asian Golden Arowana or Dragon Fish also know for its beauty slender body and its distinct and large reflective scales which resemble the majestic and mighty dragon.

Hobby & Feng Shui • Business man keeping the Gold Arowana or Asian fresh water Dragon Fish is to maintain prosperous and growing business. • Freshwater aquarium fish hobbyist keep arowana fish aquariums at home is to bring good luck and ward off evil. • Thus, it is a favorite in many homes and offices but it's beauties (arowana price) don't come cheap. • Depending on the quality and variety, an full grown RTG Arowana or Dragon Fish can come with a five figure price tag.

Investment Opportunities in Asian Gold Arowana Farming • Asian golden arowana is one of the most expensive fish in the world due to the high demand and low supply. • Asian Golden Arowana breeding is not easy, it will take an average of about 3 to 5 years to reach maturity for breeding. • Each Asian Golden Arowana will spawn at different times of the year. • The breeding cycle is around 1-2 times per year. There are very rare instances where an arowana will spawn 3 times in a year.

Conservation • The Asian arowana's high value as aquarium fish has impacted its conservation. • The Asian arowanas are listed as endangered by the 2006 IUCN Red List with the most recent evaluation taking place in 1996.International trade in these fishes is controlled under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna

Care in captivity • Because they can grow up to 90 centimetres (35 inches) long, Asian arowanas require a large aquarium. • Asian arowanas are carnivorous and should be fed a highquality diet of meaty food, such as shrimp and crickets. • Aquarists recommend live foods and meaty prepared foods. Examples of appropriate live foods include mealworms, crickets,shrimps, feeder fish, small frogs and earthworms.

GOLDEN AROWANA

SILVER AROWANA

GREEN AROWANA

SUPER RED AROWANA

BLACK AROWANA

GENERAL PARTS OF AN ASIAN AROWANA