Asian Arowanaアジアアロワナ

Scleropages formosusEN— Endangered

The Asian arowana is a large, elongated freshwater fish native to the blackwater rivers and wetlands of Southeast Asia, prized in aquarium culture for its metallic scales and resemblance to the Chinese dragon. Once widespread, it has vanished from much of its historical range and is now Endangered, its wild populations pressured by habitat loss and an intensely lucrative ornamental fish trade.

Asian Arowana (reference photo)
Photo: Горбунова М.С. / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Osteoglossiformes / Osteoglossidae Source
Distribution
Native to Southeast Asia, inhabiting slow-flowing blackwater rivers and wetlands across Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatra), Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia, though it is now extirpated from much of its former range. Source

Did You Know?

  • Its ancestors diverged from those of the Australian arowanas roughly 140 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous, making it a member of an ancient fish lineage. Source
  • Males practice mouthbrooding, carrying eggs and fry in their mouths to protect them, and the species takes a relatively long time to reach sexual maturity. Source
  • Its resemblance to the Chinese dragon has made it highly prized as a symbol of good fortune across East Asia, with premium color varieties fetching prices of thousands of dollars. Source

Where to See This Species

5 facilities · 0 individuals

サンシャイン水族館 (Sanshain Suizokukan)Tokyo池袋駅（35番出口）からサンシャイン60通りを通って来館。

サンシャイン水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

ふくしま海洋科学館 (Fukushimakaiyoukagakukan)FukushimaOpened in 2000

ふくしま海洋科学館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

桐生が岡動物園 (Kiryuugaoka Doubutsuen)Gunma自動車の場合、カーナビ検索は「桐生が岡動物園」ではなく「桐生が岡遊園地」で設定すると駐車場に到着できる（動物園名で検索すると誤った経路になる場合がある）。

桐生が岡動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

高知県立のいち動物公園 (Kouchi Kenritsu Noichi Doubutsu Kouen)Kochi土佐くろしお鉄道ごめん・なはり線「のいち駅」から徒歩20分またはレンタサイクル13分。

高知県立のいち動物公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

東京都恩賜上野動物園 (Toukyoutoonshiueno Doubutsuen)TokyoOpened in 1882

東京都恩賜上野動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではENに分類されています。

Habitat

東南アジアの河川、湿地、氾濫原。

Threats

  • 生息地減少
  • 観賞魚取引
  • 違法採集

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • 国際取引の管理
  • 飼育下繁殖

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Why is the Asian arowana so valuable in the aquarium trade?
Its dragon-like appearance made it a powerful symbol of good fortune in East Asian culture, and demand for rare color varieties has pushed prices for premium specimens into the thousands of dollars. Source
How does the Asian arowana care for its young?
Males are mouthbrooders, holding fertilized eggs and newly hatched fry inside their mouths to protect them until they are large enough to fend for themselves. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org