Arowana

"I caught an arowana! But where's its bow?"

Arowana

Scientific Name

Scleropages legendrei

Family

Osteoglossidae - Arowanas

Time of Year

June to First Half of September

Time of Day

4pm to 9am

Location

River

Size

N/A

Selling Price

10,000 Bells

The Arowana, Scleropages legendrei, is a rare river fish found between 4pm and 9am, between the months of June and September. It sells for 10,000 Bells, being tied for second highest freshwater price with the Arapaima, second only to the Dorado and Stringfish.

Museum

An information board in the aquarium will provide information about this fish.

"Arowanas are ancient fish that have remained basically unchanged for 100 million years. They are known for their large scales and the hair that sticks out from their lower lips. They have a remarkable jumping ability and can leap over a yard above the surface of the water. Males protect their babies by keeping them in their mouths and releasing them once they reach a certain size."

In real life

The Asian Arowana, also called the Asian Bonytongue and Dragon Fish, are native to Southeast Asia. Asian Arowanas inhabit blackwater rivers, slow-moving waters flowing through forested swamps and wetlands. These popular aquarium fish have special cultural significance in areas influenced by Chinese culture. The name “Dragon Fish” stems from their resemblance to the Chinese dragon. This popularity has had both positive and negative effects on their status as endangered species.

Asian Arowanas have long bodies; large, elongate pectoral fins; dorsal and anal fins located far back on the body; and a large caudal fin. The mouth is oblique with a very wide gape. The prominent lower jaw has two barbels at its tip. The gill rakers are stout. Asian Arowanas bear teeth on many bones of the mouth, including the jaws, vomer, palatines, pterygoids, parasphenoid, and tongue. Adults feed on other fish, while juveniles feed on insects.