Hi everyone,
Here is another story from readers that I’d like to share with you. This was actually a very long correspondence which ended very positively. But to cut to the chase, the below was the original message from him.
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Dear Steven,
I have two 32 inch silver arowanas in a 350 gallon aquarium. One has not eaten in 7 weeks the other 3 weeks. They exhibited courtship behavior until recently one almost killed the other and had to be separated. No spawning occurred. Is this unusual to go this long without eating? Any ideas on how to stimulate an appetite?
Anonymous – John Doe
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I ask John many questions and as far as I could tell, he did everything right.. He changed water, check for nitrates, ammonia, pH, etc .. and monitored the temperature closely. When they fought, (or rather when one tried to kill the other) he administered Metronidazole, Methylene Blue to prevent infection and help them recover. I was extremely impressed with his very detailed plans to help his arowanas recover.
John also mentioned that his silver arowana was now sitting at the bottom of the tank 90% of the time now..
This was my reply to him..
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John,
I used to have a red arowana who sat at the bottom of the tank quite often as well. With water changes, it helped it get better over time.
I am not sure abt using reverse osmosis water but my water change is just tap water with some salt and black water added. I hardly use any medicine because to be frank, it is not good for your fish. I usually stay away from medicine unless I know it is needed. (like fin rot, ich, etc) I have cured many of my fish problems with just salt alone! I’ll be frank here, I really do not know what the problem here is with your fish but I would like to suggest a simple process for you to follow for the next week or so.
1) Change 20% of your water every other day for the next week or so. Use tap water. (I’ve never used reverse osmosis water before BUT I have used water from the popular diamond energy water system before.)
2) Just add salt … about 1 teaspoon per gallon of water.
3) If you can get blackwater, add in some too.
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I basically asked John to just do two things different here. Add salt and blackwater if he had any. Guess what, this worked like a charm! His arowana’s appetite started to return in no time.
This are my final thoughts for this particular case…
1) When you have problems with your arowana, think simple… I am not joking as I have never used medication before to cure any of my arowana’s problems. Sometimes, medication can make your fish lethargic, lifeless, etc.. Once I used to add one of those ‘disease away’ formulas but have not used that for a long time as well. This, in the long run, reduces the resistance in the fish! It’s like giving medication to a healthy fish! BUT having said this, if you see visible signs of lice, finrot, etc.. then ofcourse you have to administer medication ok. 
But what I’m saying here is, I ACT WHEN IT IS STILL EARLY. What to do first? CHANGE WATER! CHANGE WATER! CHANGE WATER! ( Sound like your mother… well I hope you remember this always )
2) After changing water, I ALWAYS add a little salt and blackwater.. Blackwater will help calm your arowana but to me, salt is a must! Salt somehow manages to keep many diseases away from my arowana. John was reluctant initially to add salt because an aquarium shop owner told him that it’s not good for the fish! I’m not sure what that statement was based on BUT for me, it has worked for years! BUT BUT having said that, please don’t start to add salt to your water IF you’re not changing water. Only do it when you change water ok!
Cheers!
Ragini,
I think grasshoppers are ok… Don’t think removing the head is necessary. Comments anyone?
Steven
Oliver,
I think it is still ok since they are so young… BUT having said that, you should still monitor CLOSELY to see whether they can get along or not.. All the best!
Steven
friends,
i wish to buy an arowana in the u.a.e.
cud u pl guide me for the right shop here on my email address.
Nitin,
Sorry but I’m not sure where to buy in the UAE.
Steven
Hi Steven,
I have a green Arowana and did a water change 3 weeks back (half tank). And it is refusing to eat after water change. I have changed the water again 3 days back (half tank). One guy here tells me every 3 months it has to get dewormed because of bacteria inside its stomach it may not eat. What do i do ?
Krishna
what kind of salt . the one you use for cooking or the one you find in the shop
Hi Steven,
I have a Jardini arowana purchased last Dec. 22, 2008. I believe when I purchased it was 2 months old. He is now 6 months old but the size is only 4 inches. I noticed the growth is very slow. Is this a normal size for Jardini. I am feeding dried bloodworms. My tank size is 2 ft. width 1 ft. X 2 ft. height. What would be the best feed for now. Thank you.
Krishna,
You are changing too much water! Never Never change half a tank of water. Only 1/4 tank at any one time.. I’m pretty sure this is the problem. Nothing to do with worms, etc.. Let the water mature now as you’ve changed too much. Let the water in the tank stabilized.. Once your water matures, it should gain back its appetite.
Steven
Joshua,
GO to any aquarium shop and they should have it there.
Steven
Rene,
It should grow to about 6 inches in 6 months.. Try alternating between blood worms and small fishes. That might help it grow a bit faster…
Steven
Hi Steven,
I have a large silver arowana. My husband got it from a person that could not keep it anymore. They were two of them but he drove 10 hours to bring them home and one of them did not make it. The two arowanas grew together since babies and now I just have one but has not eat anything in 6 weeks. I have changed water frequently and added salt. I read in one of the stories that you suggest to use black water. Where can I get it? Is there a site where I can get it?
Thank you,
Rocio
I heard some people say that over-fed arowana will have curving back (like emperor arowana) Is the myth true? Sorry changing the topic.
Rocio,
I think adding black water will not probably help you here. Sometimes, your fish just takes time to get used to the new environment. When you say you have changed water frequently, what is the frequency and everytime, how much you changing?
Steven
Entadat,
Not sure what you mean BUT overfeeding is always bad for your fish!
Steven
nitin iam in duabi and iam getting a shipment of xback malyasian gold and chilly red with tag and certificate from indonisia. they are 6-8 inches please contact if interested.socorro.rod@rediffmail.com or 050-8812073
nitin iam in duabi and iam getting a shipment of xback malyasian gold and chilly red with tag and certificate from indonisia. they are 6-8 inches please contact if interested. socorro.rod@rediffmail.com or 050-8812073
Hi Steven,
I had my green arowana for 7 month he is 14 inch now. But I notice a red fungus pimple like on his lower jaw. What can I do to get rid of it. Change water everyday? Or buy medicine for his problem? Please advise me. Because I worry it will get worse. Thank you.
Vincent
I am going to get a 14 inch silver arowana and put it into my 180 gallon tank by himself is that okay?My pump that pumps water from the trickle filter pumps strong currents is that okay?my last question is Since you said tap water and salt is okay doesn’t tap water have chlorines or is that okay?and our tap water over here the pH is very high 7.4 if i get an arowana should make him accustomed to the tap water and salt solution by using airline tubing and dripping water into his bag? thank you
Hi Steven n all arowana lovers
I want to ask something,Say that i really really need to wash my arowana tank for some reason(i don’t know a reason, just want to know, In case of emergency) . How to do? Is just move the aro to other tank with the water from the main tank, wash the main tank, n just do like when first time we take aro from the shop?
HELP!!!! I changed the water of my 75 gallon tank but i left it half filled because of leak. I added salt. and wait for 1 hour before putting back my green arrowana.. super unlucky, i torn 1 inch of her dorsal fins and is now freely hanging, she turns pale and look weak, looks like shes gasping for air beacause his stucking out his mouth of the water.. anyone… please help!
Vincent,
If it is fungus, then you will need to change water and add medication as well.
Steven
Victor,
If you are only changing 20-25% of the water, the chlorine in the tap water will not affect your fish too much. (this is what I’m doing)
You do not need to get your arowana accustomed to tap water because you are not adding it directly into tap water.
Hope this helps.
Steven
Hi Steven. May I consult you about my arowanas? There’s red patches appearing on my arowana’s body. So far 2 arowanas appear to have this problem and one has died
there was a blackout last sat so I ‘manually’ pumped some oxygen into the tank. I wonder is it my act that has frightened the arowanas or they have fought or they fell sick?
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