| Are you ready to purchase your first asian | | | | be large, bright and distinctly framed. They should be |
| arowanas? Before you put your money on the desk | | | | evenly layered with no discoloration. Shed scales are |
| there are some consideration you have to make to | | | | replaced with growth, but beware of signs of infection |
| ensure you own and enjoy your arowanas for many | | | | or injury on your arowanas. |
| years to come. Be prepared to put your effort on the | | | | You should examine a large number of arowanas |
| selection of your arowanas. Do not think buying | | | | from as many different sources as possible in order to |
| arowanas is a simple step, open your cheque book, | | | | evaluate color and scales for optimum quality and |
| write down the amount and sign it for validation and | | | | health. Practice is paramount to successful evaluation, |
| you get your pet. But it is important to develop the skills | | | | and a trained eye often detects all but invisible |
| necessary to choose the right fish to avoid | | | | variations or imperfections. |
| disappointment or disaster. | | | | Examine as many varieties of ages if possible. If your |
| One of the factors made asian arowanas not much | | | | resources are limited, turn to books or the internet |
| available in the market is this species classified by | | | | instead. Note discrepancies and identify appealing traits |
| CITES as endangered and protected. You will face | | | | as you visually evaluate more specimens. |
| heavy penalties for illegal hunting or trade violations. | | | | After you get long with this hobby, you become more |
| Trading asian arowanas are forbiding in some nations | | | | experienced at evaluating the color and scales of |
| including the United States. Permits from the countries | | | | arowanas. Now it is time to look at other features that |
| of exporter and importer are required. It is not just | | | | also denote quality and health. The grade of arowanas |
| against the law to obtain this species illegally but | | | | also determine by these condition and characteristics: |
| black-market fish tend to be of poor quality and their | | | | • Gills |
| health is often compromised. | | | | • Fins & Tail |
| If you cannot get asian arowanas simply because legal | | | | • Mouth |
| aspect or cannot afforded, Australian and South | | | | • Eyes |
| American arowanas could be the replacement. Both | | | | • Shape |
| are often available in pet shops or specialty aquarium | | | | • Swimming Style |
| stores. They also display the most majestic traits | | | | Arowana's poor health or quality based on these |
| virtually all arowanas share although lack in term of | | | | criteria is easy to spot by trained and experianced |
| coloration. | | | | observer. There are also personal preference |
| Two main factors should be in mind when you initially | | | | influenced the selection of your arowanas. But most |
| begin to shop for your arowanas: | | | | important thing do not be persuaded to purchase an |
| 1. Color is one of the main determinants of most | | | | arowanas that you immediately and personally |
| arowanas species’ value. Be aware that age | | | | impressed by. As you learn to evaluate an arowana's |
| affects coloration, and color may be induced artificially. | | | | features, personal preferences tend to evolve. Upon |
| Consider tone, luster and brightness when evaluating | | | | reaching this level of experience your selection of an |
| coloration. | | | | arowanas will meet or exceed your highest |
| 2. Scales are also a measure of worth and an | | | | expectations both short and long-term. |
| important indication of health. Arowanas scales should | | | | |