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i plan on getting one in a few weeks, and the tank is a new/used 170 with a glass hood. i read that these fish are skittish, and can damage themselves this way, so i plan on keeping the tank bare, my real questions is would it be wise to put like a brick on top of the cover so the fish doesn't jump out? or the chances are it won't jump.

You do know that they're illegal in the US. I would severly doubt that you can even find one. If you could even find one it would cost thousands of dollars. You could put a brick on top of the cover, also I hope you have another tank ready for one since I don't think a 170g is big enough one.

i have access to them(i am not sure legally or anything)but they are traded and sold all the time so i dont think it is really a big deal anymore, given they are beeing breed and released into the wild,

off the legal topic, would a 170 be ok as a QT tank for about 3 months and i will find a larger tank online or just go out an buy one. maybe a custom 250 corner tank? should be nice in the hallway.

Dear ajb1971:
Thank you for your email concerning the importation and potential
downlisting of Asian bonytongue, Scleropages formosus under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). I have reviewed your email carefully, and would like to
share the perspective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on this
issue of international importance.

The species was listed as endangered in 1976 under the U.S. Endangered
Species Act. Endangered foreign species, such as S. formosus, cannot be
imported to the United States for primarily commercial purposes even if
they are captive-bred. Importation for personal or hobby use would be
considered commercial activity. Furthermore, any importation of an
endangered species, captive-bred or not, must enhance the status of the
species in the wild in some direct way. In the past, the USFWS has
approved the import of small numbers of bonytongue for research and
captive-breeding purposes. The applicants in these cases are involved in
research or re-introduction programs that should help bolster wild
populations of the fish. Importation of farm-raised and selectively bred
bonytongue does not, in our view, enhance the wild populations directly.
While captive-bred populations of S. formosus may be abundant in Southeast
Asia, their use does not necessarily encourage the conservation of wild
populations and may result in unsustainable harvest for breeding stock.
These fears have been echoed by Indonesian scientists who I've consulted
while visiting the country and examining arowana farms.

It's important to note that these provisions of the ESA apply regardless of
the status of the species in the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), but that body has
recently concurred with an Indonesian report that the species remains
endangered throughout its range. There are no current or planned research
initiatives known from any range country (Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia,
Laos, Vietnam, and Indonesia) to study the conservation status of wild S.
formosus. Thus, there is no known scientific basis for downlisting from
threatened to endangered under the ESA in any part of the species' range.
Until data are presented to the USFWS or gathered, it appears that
downlisting is not warranted.

If we can obtain information that indicates that wild Asian arowanas are no
longer in danger of extinction, the USFWS will prioritize the species for
downlisting to threatened status. I am developing research initiatives to
gather this information. If the species is in fact downlisted to
threatened status, U.S. hobbyists could import captive-bred specimens with
the appropriate ESA and CITES permits. If you would like to learn more
about the Endangered Species Act, please visit our website at
http://endangered.fws.gov/. If you would like to learn more about the
USFWS, foreign species, and CITES, visit our website at
http://international.fws.gov/ or telephone me at 703-358-1708.

Thank you for your interest in and committment to the conservation of Asian
bonytongue. I look forward to working with dedicated members of the public
such as yourself as we continue our investigations of this species'
recovery in the wild.

John Field, Fisheries Specialist
Division of Scientific Authority
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 750
Arlington, VA 22203
USA

(+01) (703) 358-2496
(+01) (703) 358-2276 fax

This is a letter from the UFWS to a person explaining the legality of asian arowanas. I would strongly suggest against you getting one.

Greeny is quite right. Your fish are illegal unless provided with an official statement verifying said fish was purchased prior to July 14, 1976. Please do not disregard the law as you appear to be doing and just don't bother with it.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 25-Dec-2005 18:03

alright, what about a jardin? liveaquria.com is having a sale on them.


what about the high fin loach, as they are kinda of endangered, and like most fish are taken out of the wild? some lfs have them, and i love them, and understand their requirements, but are they illegal.

Last edited by bettachris at 27-Dec-2005 20:57

a 170 gallon tank will be enough to house an australian aro or asian aro for life..u would need a 250 gallon if u r going for the south american aros..the volume is not important..the width and length is.

so a tall tank isn't good and to get a long tank. thanks.

umm... as it will be some time before i get new fish i am still planning. so a tank about 200 gallons should be fine for that arowana. thanks for the help.

yea..a tall tank is useless.a long one is much better. btw, make sure that tank has a cover.

i know a store that is selling a gold arrowanna right now for 500 canadian its barbels are mostly worn off to mere stubs it was housed in a 180 gallon tank the fish itself is id say 20-22" in length
i think its easier for a silver to turn then a gold and a 180 usg tank was ruff on this fish so if you do get one for the fishs sake i hope its wide and long