Arowanas are one of the most expensive fish due to their rarity. Therefore, it is necessary to feed them proper Arowana food. Due to their nature, specifically manufactured pellets, live or frozen food are the best options. In this article, you will learn about nutrients for Arowana’s fast growth, daily diet, and nutrient chain of them. Some of the best food for arowana and feeding schedules are also worthy topics.
Arowana food
Arowana Food
Arowana fish are carnivores. They love to eat a meaty diet. You can feed it in various forms, i.e., floating pellets or sticks, live food, and frozen food.
| Type | Item |
| Floating pellets or sticks | Specified food items are available online and in the market. |
| Live food | Feeder fish Crickets Earthworms Shrimps |
| Frozen food | Frozen fish Shrimp Bloodworms |
| Freeze-dried food | Insects Krill Worms shrimps |
Nutrients for Arowana Fast Growth
An optimal environment catalyzes the growth rate of Arowana. However, they can grow at a faster rate when feeding nutrient supplements. Here is a list of growth catalytic nutrients and how they affect the growth rate of Arowana fish.
Proteins
Proteins consist of amino acids, and they are essential for fish as they build muscle and tissue in the fish. There is a list of essential amino acids that help in muscle development and health maintenance. It includes arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. You can provide them with live foods, shrimp, and quality pellet products.
Lipids
Lipids or fats also contribute to fast Arowana growth. They provide energy and improve coloration. Fatty fish, worms, and super worms are some live food sources that provide lipids for arowana fish.
Vitamins
Vitamins fast the Arowana growth. It includes vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. Here are the effects of specific vitamins and their food source.
| Vitamin | Effect on Growth Rate | Source |
| A | Improve skin health Improve color Improve vision |
Fish oil and shrimp |
| B | Improve growth Enhance protein digestion Function of the nervous system Avoid slime coat |
Pellets |
| C | Disease prevention Fast the healing Improve digestion Help in skeleton formation |
Pellets and supplement |
| D | Help in bone development Help in scale development |
Snails, shrimps, and earthworms |
| E | Help in muscle formation Reproductive health improvement Support Immune system |
Fish oil and insects |
| K | Improve blood circulation | Water fleas and liver |
Minerals
Some minerals are equally essential for your Arowana. Moreover, they also enhance the Arowana’s growth rate.
| Mineral | Role | Source |
| Calcium and Phosphorus | Improve and enhance the bone and scale development | Feeder fish crustaceans |
| Iron | Improve oxygen transport Improve metabolic process |
Insects Fish |
| Magnesium | Support muscle and nerve system | Pellets |
Nutrient Chain
Primary producer
Phytoplankton and plants produce all the primary nutrients for Arowana. However, Arowana can’t consume them directly.
Primary consumer
Crustaceans and insects eat the primary producers.
Secondary Consumers
Mealworms, crickets, guppies, minnows, etc., feed on primary producers. It accumulates proteins, fats, and other essential things for Arowana.
Tertiary Consumer
Arowana feeds on secondary consumers to gain all the essential nutrients.
Nutrients for arowana
What Is the Best Food for Arowana Fish
As mentioned earlier, Arowana can eat different kinds of food. All of these food items help them to stay healthy and active. Here are the best food items for your Arowana fish.
Pellets
There are specially developed pellets for the Arowana. These pellets contain a balanced proportion of essential nutrients. Only buy pellets with at least 50% protein content and carotenoids, i.e., color enhancement ingredients. Pellet feeding reduces the risk of disease transfer and creates ease of storage.
Shrimps
Arowana loves to feast on shrimp, even though they are the primary consumer in the nutrient chain. However, it’s okay, as they are rich in protein and natural carotenoids.
Crickets
Crickets are one of the best sources of protein and fiber. Crickets are the energy booster in the tank, as they stimulate Arowana’s hunting instinct.
Mealworms and super worms
They are the secondary source in the nutrient chain of the Arowana. They are rich in fat and protein, which helps in rapid growth.
Fish Feeder
Arowana loves to eat live food, i.e., minnows, guppies, goldfish, etc. Live food is rich in protein. It enhances their mental stimulation and promotes healthy growth. However, be cautious that your secondary source is free from diseases.
Best food for arowana
Prawns
Prawns are a natural source of color-enhancing and protein for Arowana. Moreover, prawns help to bring a variation in the arowana daily diet routine.
Silkworms Pupa
Feeding the silkworm pupas fast the Arowana growth. Moreover, it also improves Arowana’s body shape and bacterial disease defense system.
Feeding Schedule for Arowana
A proper feeding schedule helps to maintain your Arowana’s health. Here are some general feeding tips and feeding schedules for different Arowana species.
General Feeding Schedule
- Feed 2 to 3 times a day to all Arowana under 1 year of age. Reduce it to 1 time per day for adults, i.e., greater than 1 year of age.
- Give a dose that fish consume within 2 to 3 minutes.
- Keep variation in daily dose. Make a cycle of pellets, living, and freezing food items.
Feeding schedule for Arowana
Specie Specified Diet Routine
Arowana loves to feast on carnivores’ diet in live, frozen, or pellet form. However, it varies with age group. Diet for different species, based on age, is in the following.
| Specie | Age group | Diet |
| Asian Arowana | Juvenile | Crickets, mealworms, pellets, shrimp |
| Adult | Prawns, crickets, pellets, fish fillets | |
| Silver Arowana | Juvenile | Small live prey, bloodworms, small pellets |
| Adult | Shrimp, pellets, fish fillets, occasional live prey | |
| Black Arowana | Juvenile | Small insects, bloodworms, pellets |
| Adult | Larger insects, shrimp, pellets | |
| Jardini Arowana | Juvenile | Small live prey, pellets, bloodworms |
| Adult | Larger prey, shrimp, pellets, fish fillets | |
| African Arowana | Juvenile | Bloodworms, small pellets, insects |
| Adult | Larger pellets, shrimp, insects, and occasional vegetable-based diet |
The Last Word
Arowana are carnivores, and their daily diet may consist of pellets, live food, or frozen food. Pellets are specifically designed for optimal growth. However, you can feed your fish over specific food items to enhance their growth and make their color more vibrant. See the best growth by feeding juveniles 2 to 3 times per day and 1 time per day to adults.
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