Cara Jaga Ikan Arowana: Arowana Tank, Food & Daily Care in Malaysia
Here is the short answer on cara jaga ikan arowana (how to care for an arowana): give it a long tank, at least 4 kaki for a juvenile and 5–6 kaki for an adult. Cover the top with a heavy, gap-free lid, because arowana jump. Run strong filtration with weekly 25–30% water changes using dechlorinated water, and keep the temperature steady at about 26–30°C. Feed a varied diet of pellets, prawns and insects rather than live fish. Buy only a CITES-certified, microchipped fish and keep the certificate safe. This guide covers daily husbandry. For prices and the certificate itself, see our arowana price and CITES guide.
The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus), known locally as ikan kelisa or kelisa emas for the golden forms, is listed on CITES Appendix I. It is legal to keep only when bred on a CITES-registered farm and sold with a microchip and certificate. Malaysia is a major producer, and Perak is the heart of the industry, with about 72% of arowana sales. Many Malaysian keepers start with a locally bred fish.
Cara Jaga Ikan Arowana: Care Table
| Factor | What an arowana needs |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 26–30°C; Malaysian rooms are usually fine without a heater |
| Tank (juvenile, up to ~25 cm) | 4 kaki (120 × 45 × 50 cm, ~230 L) |
| Tank (adult, 60 cm+) | 5–6 kaki; 6 kaki (180 × 60 × 60 cm, ~550 L) is a common target |
| Water | pH about 6.5–7.5, ammonia and nitrite zero, low nitrate |
| Water changes | 25–30% weekly, more with heavy feeding |
| Temperament | Solitary and territorial with other arowana |
| Diet | Carnivore: arowana pellets, prawns, insects, frozen foods |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years or more with good care |
| Beginner? | Only if you are ready for a big, long-term commitment |
Tank Size in Kaki
Arowana are long, surface-swimming fish that turn in a wide arc. Length and width matter more than height.
| Fish size | Minimum tank | Better |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 20–25 cm | 4 kaki | 4 kaki with 45–60 cm width |
| 30–45 cm | 5 kaki | 5–6 kaki |
| 45 cm and up | 6 kaki | 6 kaki with 60 cm or more width |
A 6 kaki tank holds about 550–650 L, and with glass, stand and gravel it can weigh well over 700 kg. Check your floor, especially in condos and upstairs rooms. Our tank size guide explains volumes.
Lids: The Most Important Accessory
Arowana are famous jumpers. In the wild they leap to catch insects off branches, and in aquariums they jump when startled by lights, doors or shadows. Many arowana deaths in Malaysia are simply fish found on the floor.
- Use a heavy, tight-fitting lid that covers the whole top.
- Close gaps around filter pipes and cables with foam or acrylic strips.
- Do not switch on bright room lights suddenly at night.
- If your tank has an open top filter, make sure the fish cannot jump into it.
Filtration and Water Quality
Arowana are big eaters and produce a lot of waste.
Filtration
- Top filter or sump: the most common choices for 4–6 kaki tanks in Malaysia.
- Large canister: works for smaller tanks or as a second filter.
- Aim for a turnover of at least 4–6 times the tank volume per hour, with plenty of biological media.
Water changes
- Change 25–30% weekly, and more if you feed heavily.
- Treat tap water with anti klorin. Malaysian tap water is chlorinated, and leaving it to stand (endap air) does not remove chloramine. See our tap water guide.
- Match temperature, and refill slowly.
Temperature and oxygen
Arowana are comfortable at 26–30°C, which most Malaysian homes provide. In heatwaves, tanks can creep above 32°C. Add aeration with an air pump, and keep the tank out of direct sunlight. A battery-backup air pump helps during power cuts.
Lighting for Colour
Lighting matters to arowana keepers because it brings out colour.
- Red arowana keepers often use lights with a strong red/pink spectrum to bring out red tones.
- Golden arowana (Malaysian golden crossback) keepers often use white or "tanning" style lights to deepen the gold.
- Run lights about 8–12 hours a day on a timer. Sudden switching causes jumping.
- Dark backgrounds and dim surroundings reduce stress and help colour too.
Colour also depends on genetics, age and diet. No light makes a low-grade fish into a top-grade fish.
Feeding: Ikan Arowana Makan Apa?
A varied diet keeps arowana healthy and colourful.
| Food | Notes |
|---|---|
| Arowana pellets / sticks | Good staple; floating types suit surface feeders |
| Frozen or fresh prawns (shell on) | Popular; some keepers believe shells help colour |
| Insects (crickets, mealworms, superworms) | Natural food; buy from clean sources |
| Frozen fish fillet or other frozen foods | Variety, in moderation |
| Live feeder fish | Not recommended; they carry disease and parasites |
Feed juveniles 2–3 times a day and adults once a day or every other day. Remove leftovers. Overfeeding fatty food can lead to obesity and water problems. See food for cichlids, arowana and monster fish.
Tank Mates
Arowana are usually best kept alone, or in a very large tank with robust, peaceful tank mates that are too big to be eaten and do not compete at the surface, such as large plecos. Keeping several arowana together needs a very big tank and careful management. Never add small fish; they will be eaten.
Some large "monster" fish sold elsewhere are prohibited in Malaysia. Buy only from sellers who follow Department of Fisheries (DOF) Malaysia rules, and see our prohibited fish guide.
Common Arowana Problems
- Drop eye: the eye turns downward. It is often linked to the fish constantly looking down at food or tank bottoms; feeding at the surface and having fewer distractions below may help.
- Gill curl: often linked to poor water quality or low oxygen. Improve water changes and aeration.
- Jumping injuries and scale loss: fix the lid and avoid sudden light changes.
- Cloudy eyes and fin damage: usually a water quality issue.
For general troubleshooting, see why aquarium fish die.
Your CITES Certificate
Every legal Asian arowana should come with:
- A microchip implanted by the farm
- A certificate that matches the chip number
- Seller details you can trace back to the farm
Keep the certificate safe for the life of the fish. You may need it if you sell or move the fish, and it proves the fish is legal. Confirm current rules with DOF Malaysia, as requirements can change.
Buying Arowana on FishyHub
Browse arowana for sale from Malaysian sellers. Before you buy:
- Ask for the certificate and microchip details, and make sure they match.
- Check the size, variety and whether the video or photo is the actual fish.
- Check delivery or self-collect options and live-arrival terms; for a fish this valuable, self-collect or a seller you can visit is often preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cara jaga ikan arowana untuk pemula?
Sediakan akuarium sekurang-kurangnya 4 kaki dengan penutup yang berat, penapis yang kuat dan tukar air 25–30% setiap minggu menggunakan anti klorin. Beri pelet, udang dan serangga, dan elakkan ikan hidup.
Ikan arowana perlu akuarium berapa kaki?
Anak arowana boleh mula dalam akuarium 4 kaki. Arowana dewasa perlukan akuarium 5 hingga 6 kaki.
Do arowana need a heater in Malaysia?
Usually not, because room temperatures of 26–31°C suit them. Use one only if the tank is in an air-conditioned room for long periods.
Why does my arowana keep jumping?
Sudden lights, movement outside the tank, poor water quality or a new environment. Use a heavy lid, dim the room, and check water parameters.
Is it legal to keep arowana in Malaysia?
Asian arowana bred on a CITES-registered farm and sold with a microchip and certificate are legal. Always ask for these documents, and confirm with DOF Malaysia if you are unsure.
An arowana is a long-term companion, often for 15 years or more. Browse certified arowana and arowana food from Malaysian sellers on FishyHub, and read our arowana price and CITES guide before you buy.