Northern Pearl Baramundi - Scleropages jardini

Spotted Baramundi - Scleropages leichardti

Place of Origin:

The Northern Pearl is found throughout northern Australia. It is the most common of the two Arowanas (it will be referred to as the Jardini from now on). The Spotted Baramundi is found in Queensland and eastern Australia.

Average Cost:

Jardinis are usually purchased as 2 to 3 inch juveniles. These sizes arrive in stores around Christmas and are available through Spring. Individuals of this size sell for about $40 to $50. As the season goes on larger specimens become available. Six inch ones can cost up to $100. I have seen the same size sell for about $170! There is no need to spend that much on one. They aren't that hard to find.

I have yet to see a Spotted Baramundi for sale anywhere. Because of this I cannot accurately say how much one costs. I would assume that they would be around the same price as the Jardini or a slightly more because they aren't as common.

Size:

Both forms of the Australian Arowana grow to about the same size. The growth rate is fastest for the first year. During this time the fish can grow as fast a 1 to 1.5 inches a month! This will result in a fish well over a foot in length by the time it's a year old. After the first year the rate slows down. Australian Arowanas can reach a length of up to 3 feet. They aren't as maneuverable as the Silver Arowana and require a larger tank. A good size is 300 gallons. A 180 gallon tank is only 24 inches wide and a full grown Australian would have difficulty turning around in this space. Juveniles can be raised in smaller tanks such as a 55 or 75 gallon but the tank must grow with the fish.

Water Requirements:

Australian Arowanas do well in water that is neutral to slightly acidic. They are more sensitive to water quality than the Silver so particular care must be taken when maintaining the tank. This is not a beginners' fish! Ammonia and nitrites must be kept at zero and the water must be very well filtered and clean. Another reason for keeping the water quality perfect is that Jardinis are particularly prone to fin rot. This condition can be avoided if the water is kept clean.

Use strong filtration such as Aquaclear power filters or good canisters such as an Eheim. I recommend performing weekly water changes of at least 50%. Using a Python will make the job of changing a large volume of water A LOT easier.

Feeding Requirements:

The key to raising any Arowana is a varied diet. Individuals are usually fed feeders in stores. This is not a good diet! There is too much fat in feeder fish and the risk of disease is way too high to chance. This habit must be changed as soon as possible. A good diet to get youngsters used to is floating food sticks and chunks of beef heart. I use Azoo's 9 in 1 Arowana Sticks. This is a well balanced diet and will give the best growth rate and the best coloration. Adults can also be given this diet. I feed the sticks a few times a day and the beef heart once a day. I have heard of people feeding their adults mice and other little fuzzy things but this is not a good idea because they are mostly fur and bones. There is not enough nutrition to be worth the time and effort.

General Appearance:

Australian Arowanas are very similar in body shape to the Asian. The only difference is that the Australian has more scales on the lateral line than the Asian. Both the Jardini and the Spotted have a greenish coloration, the Spotted being darker. The Jardini gets a pearlescent coloration with pinks and blues in the right light. The finnage gets gorgeous green and pink spots. The Spotted is not nearly as beautiful as the Jardini. It has rather dull coloration and is very plain. Perhaps that is why it is not very popular in the aquarium trade.

Temperament:

Australian Arowanas can be more skittish than Silvers, and that's pretty bad! They can also be much more aggressive. I have a young 4 inch Jardini that chases around anything that moves as soon as the lights go out. He doesn't really bother anyone else during the day.

As with all Arowanas the tank must be tightly covered because a startled fish is likely to try and make the "big leap." The will to jump is part of their natural instinct. It can't be stopped completely, but it can be maintained with a little precaution. A good idea to get your Arowana less "hand shy" is to "pet" the fish every time you have to put your hands into the tank. Just let it see your hand coming and then run your hand down its side. I pet all my Arowanas and they are quite tame when it comes to handling.

Tankmates:

It's not a good idea to raise Australians with any other types of Arowanas. They are much more aggressive than Silvers and would probably pick on one way too much. If you still insist on keeping more than one in the same tank make sure they are raised together.

Australians can be kept with a wide variety of other fish. The only thing to watch out for is that the other fish can't get eaten and isn't too aggressive. Good ideas are Severums, Silver Dollars, Red Bellied Pacu, Oscars, and anyhing else of the like. Stay away from anything mega territorial or aggressive such as Jack Dempseys or Managuense.

Breeding:

Breeding Australians in an aquarium setting is very difficult. It is primarily accomplished in ponds.