Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)

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Called "Monkey fish" by some, in the America's arowana are known for leaping high full body out of the water to strike at prey on tree branches such as insects, small birds or mammals.

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Actinopterygii
  • Order: Osteoglossiformes
  • Family: Osteoglossidae
  • Subfamily: Osteoglossinae
  • Genus: Osteoglossum
  • Species: Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
Common names: Silver arowana, Silver Arawana, Two barbel bony tongue, monkey fish, water monkey, dragon fish Thai name: Plah Taepat (ตะพัด) Thailand status: Introduced Max size:  5kg (11lb) Diet: Fish, frogs, insects, small water mammals and birds Habitat: Freshwaters

The silver arowana, (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum), also spelled arawana has been introduced to Thailand from the Amazon basin in South America. Stocked in small numbers in some Thai fishing lakes as a sport fish it can thrive is good conditions and can grow to 1m (3.2ft) in length. Primarily surface feeders arowana's can be found constantly on the lookout for prey items floating or falling into its range. An arowana is a a prized catch for any angler visiting Thailand and can be caught using lures, flies and baits.

Called "Monkey fish" by some, in the America's arowana are known for leaping high full body out of the water to strike at prey on tree branches such as insects, small birds or mammals. The Arowana's two barbels, thick Silver and Gold scales and elongated body give the fish a resemblance to a Chinese dragon, this makes them considered as lucky. So arowana's are very popular in Asia as aquarium fish. But you will mostly only find the imported Silver arowana as the Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is now an endangered species so not easily available as a stock fish.