Golden Crossback Arowana

fish description – Golden Crossback Arowana Care Guide ($Scleropages\ formosus$ ‘Golden Crossback’ Strain)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Scleropages\ formosus$ (‘Golden Crossback’ Strain)
Common Name	Golden Crossback Arowana, Malaysian Golden Arowana, Dragonfish
Origin	Slow-moving rivers and lakes (Malaysia, Southeast Asia)
Adult Size	24–35 inches (60–90 cm)
Temperament	Highly Aggressive, Solitary, Territorial Surface Predator
Lifespan	10–20+ years
Care Level	Expert (High financial and maintenance commitment; CITES Appendix I listed)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A spectacular, long-bodied fish with very large, metallic scales. The ‘Crossback’ signifies that the brilliant gold color has spread completely over the sixth (topmost) row of scales on the back. It is a revered centerpiece, symbolizing prosperity and wealth in Asian cultures.
• Coloration: Brilliant, dense metallic gold that fully crosses the back. Juveniles are less colored; the metallic sheen intensifies dramatically with age, diet, and specialized lighting (tanning). Sexing is difficult; the male exhibits paternal mouthbrooding (guards eggs/fry in his mouth).
• Fins: Long, prominent pectoral fins; dorsal and anal fins are located far back on the body.
• Behavior: Highly intelligent, interactive, and fiercely territorial. They are surface predators and are notorious, powerful jumpers, requiring an extremely secure, weighted lid.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 250 gallons (950 liters) is the absolute minimum for a single adult. Custom-built tanks of 6–8 feet in length and 2.5 feet wide are highly recommended. A secure, heavy lid is mandatory.
• Schooling: Must be kept solitary or with extremely large, robust, bottom-dwelling tank mates. Highly intolerant of its own species.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $75^\circ$–$86^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$30^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (stability is crucial).
• pH Level: Soft, slightly acidic water: 6.5 to 7.5 (ideal for Blackwater species). Requires massive filtration (sump and/or large canister filters) and large, frequent water changes (25–50% weekly) to manage the heavy bioload and prevent diseases. Specialized lighting is often used to “groom” the scales.
• Aquascape: Keep sparse to maximize open swimming space, which is critical. Use heavy, securely anchored driftwood and bogwood. Substrate is optional; sand or fine gravel is fine.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Golden Crossback Arowana is a carnivore and a surface predator.

• Staple Diet: Should be fed a high-quality, floating carnivore pellet or stick formulated for Arowanas as the base diet. They will not generally eat sinking food.
• Supplementation: A rich, high-protein diet is essential for color development. Offer live or frozen foods regularly: Prawns (Krill, Mysis), Crickets, Mealworms, and Fish Fillets. Feeder insects should be gut-loaded.
• Schedule: Juveniles should be fed 2–3 times daily; adults should be fed once daily or every other day. Feed only what is consumed immediately at the surface.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Extremely aggressive and predatory. Will eat any fish it can fit in its large mouth. Susceptible to Droop Eye if constantly looking down for food. Requires caution with all tank mates.
• Good Tank Mates: Only suitable with large, armored, or bottom-dwelling monster fish. Examples include Large Bichirs, Datnoids, large Catfish (e.g., Synodontis, Raphael Catfish), and large L-number Plecos. Tank mates must be able to withstand the Arowana’s size and temperament.