What are the correct methods for keeping tiger fish and arowana together?
Tiger fish is a collective name for several species of fish named after their aggressive nature when caught, their strong predatory habits, or their appearance. Arowana, also known as Asian arowana, golden arowana, etc., is an ancient primitive freshwater fish. Keeping tiger fish and arowana together is a mixed-species setup many fish keepers choose, because a tiger-and-dragon tank has excellent ornamental value. Below, let us take a look at how to keep tiger fish and arowana together!
Can tiger fish be kept together with arowana?
Tiger fish can be kept together with arowana. The arowana has a commanding appearance, is intelligent, and looks very much like a dragon. Arowana are loved by more and more people, and together with the long-standing dragon culture of the Chinese nation, they are especially sought after by Chinese people. Because they carry the meaning of "dragon soaring and tiger leaping," they can be called the best choice for mixed keeping, and they are very ornamental when kept together: the dragon above and the tiger below, each holding its own territory!
How do you keep tiger fish and arowana together?
1. Size: In a tiger fish and arowana mixed setup, choosing what size arowana to keep with tiger fish is a very important point. The best standard for a tiger-dragon pairing is that the tiger fish's body length is one fifth of the arowana's. Of course, some keepers choose a one quarter ratio for keeping arowana and tiger fish together for greater safety and security. Moreover, tiger fish is a very shy fish, and the smaller it is, the shyer it is, so it is likewise not recommended to use very small tiger fish for trial keeping or mixed keeping. Of course, before the small tiger fish enters the tank, feed the arowana until full, and let the small tiger adjust to the new tank, to avoid it being bitten as soon as it enters the water, which would affect the small tiger fish's condition. Tiger fish have higher water quality requirements than arowana, so maintaining good water quality is the prerequisite, so that the arowana and tiger fish truly become lively and vigorous.
2. Feeding: In a tiger fish and arowana mixed setup, feeding also requires special attention. Newly acquired small tiger fish should not be fed too much, otherwise it easily causes water quality deterioration and enteritis. Arowana and tiger fish have many overlapping food items, such as small fish and small shrimp, etc. Note that the size should not be too large, and before feeding, be sure to remove the fish scales and internal organs, and also remove the shrimp's rostrum, to prevent stabbing the stomachs of the arowana and tiger fish. However, beef must not be fed, because beef fiber is relatively coarse and is not easy for arowana to digest. For fish keepers worried that the tiger fish cannot get food, you can feed the arowana first; after the arowana is full, it will not compete with the tiger fish for food. Moreover, in the early stage of mixed keeping, the tiger fish may not be able to get food, but once things stabilize, the tiger fish will actively hunt for food.
What fish can tiger fish be kept together with?
1. Tiger fish: Tiger fish are suitable for mixed keeping with their own kind, such as Thai tiger and Indonesian tiger kept together. Although there will be occasional fights between them, they can all resolve it on their own, and the whole tank looks extraordinarily commanding. When keeping tiger fish together, you should imitate the natural environment as much as possible, plant some aquatic plants, place some rocks, make some stone caves, and you can also use some ceramic flower pots to simulate rock caves, which can make the tiger fish happier.
2. Stingray: Stingray, also called devil fish, is not very active and is active at depths between 5 and 100 meters. It often hides its body in sand and mud. Some species have brightly colored bodies, and most feed on small fish and crustaceans and benthic animals in sandy mud areas. Although they can be kept together with tiger fish, the size difference must not be too great, otherwise the stingray will chase the tiger fish.
3. Flying fox: The flying fox fish is a large ornamental fish of the genus Semaprochilodus in the family Prochilodontidae, suborder Characoidei. Its body is laterally compressed, all fins are red, the anal fin and caudal fin have horizontal striped markings, and the base of the tail has an adipose fin. The characteristics of its mouth can help the owner clean up fish waste and food residue in the aquarium, and the flying fox carries a very auspicious meaning in Chinese minds, making it a suitable choice for keeping with tiger fish.
4. Silver dollar: The silver dollar fish is a freshwater fish of the genus Metynnis in the subfamily Serrasalminae, family Characidae, order Characiformes. It is distributed in streams in Guyana and northern Paraguay, and also occurs within Brazil. It has a peculiar body shape, beautiful colors, is active and gentle, swims in groups, is hardy and easy to keep, likes to hide in waters rich in aquatic plants, and likes to nibble on aquatic plants. It can add vitality to a dull aquarium.