The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Silver Arowana Osteoglossum Bicirrhosum 10cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Silver Arowana is a spectacular surface-dwelling predator with a long, ribbon-like body, huge mirror-like scales and two barbels on its upturned, trapdoor mouth. It glides just beneath the surface and is famous for leaping clear of the water to snatch prey. Native to the Amazon basin, it suits only experienced keepers with truly enormous aquaria.
- Adult Size: Around 60–90 cm (24–35 in) in aquaria
- Lifespan: 15–20 years
Origin
- Native to: Amazon basin, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana
- Habitat: Slow backwaters, lagoons and flooded forest
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous surface predator
- Preferred Foods: Prawns, earthworms, fish strips, crickets, large pellets, bloodworm
- Feeding Habits: Daily when young, every other day for adults; avoid live feeder fish
Tank Mates
- Best with: Large peaceful fish, big plecs, stingrays, large catfish, Oscars in huge tanks
- Avoid: Anything that fits in its mouth, other surface dwellers, aggressive fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful with fish too large to swallow
- Territoriality: Can be aggressive towards other arowanas and surface fish
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Challenges: Enormous adult size, jumping, heavy waste load
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic to neutral
- Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 1000 litres for an adult; 250 cm long or more, larger is better
Final Notes
This juvenile will grow extremely quickly and needs an aquarium at least 250 cm long within a couple of years, so treat it as a serious long-term commitment. A heavy, tightly fitting lid is non-negotiable, as arowanas are prodigious jumpers, and low tank ceilings help prevent the drooping eye seen in captive fish. Provide powerful filtration, frequent water changes and a varied diet. A truly majestic showpiece for the right home.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.