Arowana Photography

Recently went back to Singapore and decided to try to capture some shots of Spartacus with the new diffuser I bought for my SB600. I took about 20 over shots and on the last shot before my flash ran out of batteries, I managed to capture the best shot of Spartacus.

At the date of this posting, Spartacus is already 3 years old and 23 inches.

Below is the shot after adjusting for exposure only.

The next has been adjusted to my "dream" of how spartacus will turn out in a few months time.

A new Comm Tank

Yes!! U read the title correctly!!

I thought that after the failure of the first comm tank, we will not be embarking on any new comm tank adventures. However my dad who could not control himself when out and purchased 5 x-backs for S$1,300 each. They were only 4 inches in lengths.

Once again, this comm tank did not do much better than the first comm tank. Fights were not as serious and common, however in one of the struggles for supremacy, one of the x-backs became blinded when it was struck in the eye. After 1 year, we decided that comm tanks were not for us anymore and we ended up selling the entire comm tank for about $900 a piece.

Below are pictures of the 5 x-backs. No names for them as by then, we were numbering 12 arowanas in our household.

A Time To Sell

After making the decision to "disband" the comm tank, I had to make the painful decision to sell some pieces off as there was not enough tanks in my house to hold them.

In then end, we sold off Takeru who was already 19 inches and Barny when he was 18 inches.

While it was a painful decision to make, limited resources dictated the move.

I hope both fishes are doing well with their new owners.

Big Mistake No. 1

We kept the comm tank consisting of Takeru, Spartacus, Barny, Anus and Small Red together for almost a year. Spartacus was the Alpha in the tank, but he was an agressive alpha and the fishes suffered under his charge.

In the end, tails were almost bitten off and scales were always missing due to endless fights.

In a last resort, I decided to place in the X-back (Aro No.2) into the comm tank to increase the head count. I was also hoping that he would be the new Alpha and keep Spartacus in check.

In the end, Takeru's and X-back's tail was totally ruined. Barny's mouth was damaged by a redhook while snatching for food. Those stupid red hooks have strong mouths. In the end, I conceded defeat and split the comm tank. My pain was indescribable as I assessed the eventual damage.

Below are 2 pics taken on during the better days.

Takeru - Aro No. 9

As the fights amongst the reds got worse, we thought that adding another arowana will diffuse the fights. So we went to Singapore Arowana Breeding Farm (SABF) to purchase a RTG.

We named this guy Takeru after the Japanese Food eating champion because of his amazing appetite. At times we were worried that his stomach would rip.

Love his shine and blue base.

He was immediately thrown into the Comm of reds to hopefully bring peace. Alas, it was wishful thinking on our part. Ha Ha!!

Communal Living

So many aros, so few tanks. The only option for us is to have a comm tank of arowanas. However, arowanas are very territorial fishes and they dislike their own kind. Having 3 or more arowanas in the tank reduces the likelihood that one weak individual will be overtly targetted. Many have tried and failed, I am no exception as time will tell.

There is no denying that watching a community or arowanas swimming toghether is mesmerizing and inspiring. For this comm project, we placed Spartacus and the 3 redlings together and kept our fingers crossed, however as they grew, more fights broke out.

Below is a picture of the 4 reds together. :)

3 Little Reds (Aro nos. 6,7,8)

This 3 came as a batch. My dad and I were very tempted to try our hand at raising a community of arowanas in a single tank. So while visiting a guy known as “porkman”, we ended up buying another 3 Qianhu Violet Fusion Super Reds for S$1,500 a pop. We have gone crazy (Apparently not crazy enough if could tell the future at that time).

They joined the collection in early 2006.

So now we had 4 super red arowanas in one tank. If I were to list their “names” given by us to them, it would make no sense to you. But nevertheless, presenting:

Barny: The biggest of the 3. Was my personal favorite with great body shape and color. Unfortunately its mouth got seriously damaged by a red hook. So now it is considered as a “defect” fish.

Anus: Again, very nice body shape and color. He was called Anus because it suffered from a protruding anus while growing up. Caused us much concern.

Small Red: Smallest of the 3. Always got bullied. The bodyshape is not exactly the best, but the color is the most intense. I have high hopes for this little bugger.

Arowana No. 5

We needed another tank to house the growing collection. However the owner would only sell the tank with the fish as a set. Considering that this arowana was pretty nice with good shape and color for only $300. I decided to get it. Another RTG from SABF (Singapore Arowana Breeding Farm) was added to the collection.

I had high hopes for this little guy. He ate very well and swam very confidently. I was very fond of him. Unfortunately I got one dreaded call while at work from my sister informing me that the fish had jumped out and was dying. I dropped everything and rushed home to see what I could do. Alas, it was too late, he died in my hands while I was trying my best to revive it. Sob Sob. :(


In loving memory. Rest in Peace.

Spartacus (Aro No. 4)

After selling of N1wan, I found a QianHu Violet Fusion Super Red (Fancy names created by the fish farms). I was not intending to buy any arowanas when I visited the home of a hobbyist who was well known for his beautiful reds. Anyway, when I reached there, I saw this little fella which had amazing development and bodyshape. It was love at first sight. I knew I was going to be in trouble when I handed over $1,800. Time to think of a good reason to tell my GF why my bank account was lesser by $1,800. Ha Ha!


At home in my tank. See the 2 lines of red on the cheek? Slopping head indicates "spoonhead". Overall structure very nice with big even and perfect scales. Taken in Feb 2006.

Taken in end July 2006. Can see the bodyshape coming along with beautiful finnage. I love this baby!

Sept 2006. Took this photo with a DSLR for a photo competition and won 1st place in the forum. The color is coming along nicely for a fish at this size. Hopefully the color will darken to a nice deep orange then red in time to come.

N1Wan Red (Aro. No 3)

So I thought, 2 gold aros, time for a red arowana. So I went out in search for a Red arowana and shelled out $1,500 for this one in Feb 2006. However I decided that the shape was not exactly what I wanted and that this arowana seemed a bit stunted in terms of growth to me. So I sold it off after 6 months of buying it. Still, I have fond memories of this fella.

I wonder how he is doing, should be a big boy by now.

Crossback - Aro No. 2

After 3 years of rearing Fat Mama, my dad decided to "Upgrade" to a X-Back. And as mentioned, these fishes dont come cheap. A grand total of S$2,000 was forked out for him. However it seems like it wont get very big. Around 18.5 inches seems to be its maximum size. Here are some pics.


Taken while still at the fish shop in December 2005.

Taken after some months with us. A make-over shot. :).

Posing for the camera. :)

My Passion

I guess with many things, our parents have a great influence on the things we like and do. So it is not surprising that my love for arowanas started when my Dad brought home a green asian arowana some 20 years ago. Unfortunately that fish died after 6 months mysteriously. It wasn't until more than a decade later did we get Fat Mama, and from there it has been more than 6 years of loving and appreciating these majestic fishes.

Arowanas can live to 80 years in the wild and hobbist claim that they can live up to 40 years in captivity. Being classified as an Endagered species by CITES, only farm bred offspring are allowed to be sold so as to protect the native species in the wild. Of all the classes of arowana, it is the Red Tail Gold, Malayan Cross Back and Indonesian Red Arowanas that are the most highly prized. A nice Crossback or Red can easily costs US$5,000 or more in good economic times.

Arowanas do not breed easily in glass tanks, so it is very rare to have hobbist successfully breed them at home. As they take 3 - 5 years to mature, it takes time and patience to groom an Arowana.

This blog is for me to share my experience with other arolovers and hopefully more will come to appreciate and love this majestic fishes as I have.

Fat Mama

Fat mama entered into our family in November 2003. I could still remember when I first laid eyes on her and thought to myself:"My dad has been cheated!" That was because Fat Mama was so pale and plain that one would have mistaken her for a Yellow Tail arowana rather than a Red Tail Gold (RTG).

This first post is dedicated to my family's most beloved arowana. Sadly, she left us on 27 March 2009 after suffering from Kidney failure for 4 - 5 months. She will be dearly missed by all of us.

Fat Mama.............I will never forget you as the most magnificent arowana that I ever owned.

In memory, below are some of the pictures that will keep the memory of her alive and strong.


I can still remember coming home on November 2003 and seeing this little gal in the tank. I was thinking........big mistake........where is the color? Ha Ha!


After almost 1.5 yrs, the color and shape still average only. At least better than when she first came. We almost sold you off.


A perfect specimen with fantastic bodyshape, eyes and bite. She inspired us to get several more arowanas. This was taken in 2006.


Full 25 inches of glory. The most majestic of our fishes. An empress dowager in our house.

As you pass on to fish heaven On March 20th, 2009, we will all miss her as she has been truly an amazing fish to all of us in the family. We will love you forever, Fat Mama.