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Showing posts with label fishes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fishes. Show all posts

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Asian Arowana

May 18, 2008-May 24, 2008

Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a freshwater fish with several varieties living in blackwater rivers and slow-moving waters of Southeast Asia. It grows up to 90 centimeters or 35 inches in length. It is also known as dragon fish (derived from its resemblance to the mythical Chinese dragon) and Asian bonytongue.

Asian arowanas are mouthbrooders. It means that they are capable of caring their offsprings by holding them in their mouth for extended periods of time. Moreover, they are carnivorous fishes. They naturally feed on other fishes with much smaller sizes, crickets and other insects.

The varieties of Asian arowana can be distinguished mainly through color variations and geographical locations. The green-colored variety is commonly found in Indochina and Malaysia. The silver, super red and red-tailed golden varieties are found in specific locations in Indonesia while the blue Malayan is native to Malaysia. These varieties somehow are recognized by other taxonomists to belong in separate species.

Mostly because of Chinese cultural influences, the Asian arowana rose to become a highly popular aquatic fish to date. It is thought to bring luck just like what the Chinese dragon does. It is also believed to be capable of preserving its owner from death by dying itself. The Asian arowana then, together with water, indicates equilibrium of positive and negative energies (yin and yang energies) according to Feng Shui beliefs.

In the 2006 IUCN Red List, the Asian arowana is listed as an endangered species. The cause was probably due to its high value as an aquarium fish.

Top 3 Asian Arowana Snapshots

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