Asian arowana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Asian arowana |
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| Super red arowana | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
Osteoglossidae
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| Subfamily: | |
| Genus: |
Scleropages
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| Species: |
S. formosus
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| Binomial name | |
| Scleropages formosus Müller and Schlegel, 1844
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The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a special type of fish. It lives in slow-moving streams and creeks. You can find these fish in parts of Southeast Asia and Australia. This includes places like Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Thailand.
Many people call the Asian arowana the "dragon fish." This is because of its large, shiny scales. It also has a unique way of swimming that looks like a dragon.
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About the Asian Arowana
The Asian arowana is a very old type of fish. It belongs to a group of fish that have been around for millions of years. They are known for their long, flat bodies.
What They Look Like
Asian arowanas can grow quite large. Some can reach up to 90 centimeters (about 3 feet) in length. Their bodies are covered in big, metallic scales. These scales can be different colors. Some are shiny gold, others are red, and some are green or silver.
They have a large mouth that points upwards. This helps them catch food from the surface of the water. They also have two barbels, which are like whiskers, near their mouth. These help them sense things in the water.
Where They Live
Asian arowanas prefer calm waters. They live in slow-moving rivers, streams, and even swamps. These areas often have lots of plants and submerged trees. This gives them places to hide and hunt.
They are often found in tropical forests. The water in these places is usually warm and clear. They like to stay near the surface.
What They Eat
Asian arowanas are predators. This means they hunt other animals for food. They mostly eat insects that fall onto the water. They are also known to jump out of the water to catch insects or small animals on branches.
They also eat smaller fish, frogs, and even small birds. Their strong jaws and sharp teeth help them catch their prey.
Conservation Status
The Asian arowana is an endangered species. This means there are not many of them left in the wild. Their numbers have gone down for several reasons.
Why They Are Endangered
- Habitat Loss: Their homes are being destroyed. Forests are cut down, and rivers are polluted. This makes it hard for them to find safe places to live and breed.
- Overfishing: People have caught too many of them. This is because they are very popular as aquarium pets. Some people also believe they bring good luck.
- Illegal Trade: It is against the law to catch and sell many types of Asian arowanas. However, some people still do it illegally. This makes it harder to protect them.
Protecting the Arowana
Many groups are working to protect the Asian arowana. Laws have been made to stop illegal fishing and trade. There are also programs to breed them in captivity. This helps increase their numbers.
It is important to protect these amazing fish. They are a valuable part of their natural environment.
Images for kids
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Super red arowana in a public aquarium
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Asian arowana scales are large (most over 2 cm in length) and have a delicate net pattern.
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In Prague sea aquarium
