Of all the Arowana species in the world, nothing compares to the beauty and majesty of the Asian Arowana varieties. You can’t imagine how stunning the beauty of a golden Arowana can be, it really looks like its scales are made of gold. Also impressive is the rarer Super Red Arowana, with its blood-red coloration and graceful air when swimming. The Asian varieties of Arowanas are truly deserving of the title of “King of the Aquarium”.
But these beautiful fish also have drawbacks. Due to strict trade restrictions, Asian Arowanas are really hard to come by, driving their prices to exorbitant levels; and it doesn’t help that they are very difficult to breed successfully. So having a “King” may be impossible for ordinary people, but don’t worry, there is an alternative. Introducing the cheaper, but equally captivating Silver Arowana…
The Silver Arowana is an excellent substitute for its more expensive Asian cousins. Not only are they readily available, but they are also quite affordable. The Silver Arowana is much sturdier than the other types, so it doesn’t require as much attention as the other, which is a treat for the new Arowana enthusiast who doesn’t know much about keeping fish. And if you haven’t seen any Asian Arowana yet, you’ll know that the Silver Arowana is the most beautiful fish you’ll ever see.
Aside from the colors, there isn’t much of a difference, physically, between the Silver and the Asian Arowana. Both have the characteristic “bone tongue,” chins, and the same large, upward-angled mouth. The only difference is in the fins and body shape, the Silver Arowana has a slimmer, more conical body than its Asian counterpart. And their ends are significantly longer. Size wise, the Silver doesn’t grow as big as the Asian Arowana, but that doesn’t mean it’s a small fish. When fully grown, the Silver Arowana can reach a length of 24 to 30 inches, and with proper nutrition and care, they can even reach 3 feet.
Silver Arowanas don’t just come in silver; there are other shades too. They may have silver, light gray, or white body coloration. And just like car paint, colors can be metallic or flat. They can be solid in color, but some specimens have some colored spots on their scales. Fins and tails may be all red or blue, or colored only along the edges.
For the common man who can’t afford the rare and expensive Asian variety of Arowanas, the Silver Arowana is the next best thing. Not only is it more affordable, it also has the same regal features as its Asian cousins.