The Super Golden Highback Arowana!

The Super Golden Highback Arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a rare and stunning variant of the Asian Arowana, prized for its vibrant golden coloration and distinctive highback features.

Physical Characteristics:

- Body Shape: Elongated, slender, and slightly compressed

- Length: Typically 20-30 inches (50-76 cm), maximum 36 inches (91 cm)

- Weight: Up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

- Scales: Large, cycloid, and shimmering

- Coloration:

    - Vibrant golden body with subtle orange highlights

    - Highback feature: distinctive dorsal fin extension

    - Fins and tail: golden with white edges

- Head Shape: Pointed, with a distinctive "hump" on forehead

Key Features:

- Vibrant golden coloration

- Distinctive highback feature

- Majestic appearance

- Large, shimmering scales

- Powerful tail

- Intelligent and curious nature

Habitat and Distribution:

- Freshwater: rivers, lakes, and wetlands

- Native to:

    - Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand)

Behavior and Diet:

- Carnivorous; feeds on:

    - Fish (small and large)

    - Crustaceans (crabs, shrimp)

    - Insects

- Active swimmer; roams freely in aquarium

- Generally solitary, except during spawning

Reproduction and Lifespan:

- Spawning occurs in spring and summer

- Females lay up to 50,000 eggs

- Eggs hatch in 2-3 days

- Lifespan: up to 10-15 years

Conservation Status:

- Listed as Endangered on IUCN Red List

- Regulated by CITES and local fishing laws

- Threats:

    - Habitat loss and degradation

    - Overfishing

    - Pollution

Interesting Facts:

- Can breathe air from surface

- Has a highly efficient respiratory system

- Considered sacred in some Asian cultures

- Highly prized by aquarium enthusiasts

Aquarium Care:

- Challenging to keep due to specific water requirements

- Requires:

    - Large tanks (min. 55 gallons)

    - Strong filtration

    - Regular water changes

    - Varied diet

    - Experienced aquarists only