Kaix
05-03-2006, 10:32 AM
The Asian Arowana (occasionally called the Asian Bonytongue) (Scleropages formosus) is a species of freshwater fish from Southeast Asia commonly known as the Dragon Fish by fish enthusiasts (though this name is also used of many other unrelated species of fish). They are called dragon fish because of their resemblance to the mythical dragon.
The Asian Arowana is native to the rivers of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar. It is a mouthbrooder. These fish come in various strains i.e Super Red / 1st Grade Red (Indonesia), Red Tail Golden (Indonesia), Bandjar Red / 2nd. Grade Red (Indonesia), Crossback Malaysian Golden (Malaysia) and Green (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar). Today these are raised in farms by fish farmers.
In the wild, the Asian Arowana is endangered. As food, it commands a moderate price, but it is much more highly valued as an aquarium fish: people who believe in luck and prosperity pay thousands of dollars for one of these prized fishes. International trade in these fish is controlled under the CITES conventions.
One of the most beautiful variety of Golden Arowana is the Crossback Malaysian Golden. It originated from the "Bukit Merah" river system in Perak, Malaysia. It may have various base colours depending on the locality i.e Blue-based, Gold-based, Green-based, Green and Blue-based (Turquoise) and Purple-based. The highest grade of Crossback Malaysian Golden is the Full Gold Crossback (frameless gold) that originated from the "Sungai Gedong" river system.
The Super Red Arowana is regarded by many, especially in East and Southeast Asia, to be of greatest beauty because red is considered an auspicious colour according to some local cultures. This species is indigenous to the Kalimantan River on the equatorial island of Borneo in Indonesia.
Mouthbrooders
Mouthbrooders are several species of fish that chactisticly care for their ofspring, either eggs or juveniles, by holding them for extended periods of time in the mouth of one or both parents. There are species which do not eat during this period of time. Some experienced mothers often eat what they can while holding eggs. Mouthbrooding is somewhat common amongst African cichlids, with mbuna and Egyptian mouthbrooders being examples. Synadontis Multipunctatus, also known as the Cuckoo Catfish will eat a mouth brooders eggs while spawning and simultaniously laying and fertilizing their own eggs. The mouth brooder will incubate their young, the Catfish eggs hatch earlier than the cichlid's eggs, and then eat the remaining eggs before being set free.
Which parent performs this task differs from species to species but any combination is possible across the species:
both parents share the eggs - usually for species that show a strong pair binding, i.e. pairs that stick together a whole life
the mother holds the eggs - this is often the case for polygame species
the father holds the eggs
or a role change some time in between
The Asian Arowana is native to the rivers of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar. It is a mouthbrooder. These fish come in various strains i.e Super Red / 1st Grade Red (Indonesia), Red Tail Golden (Indonesia), Bandjar Red / 2nd. Grade Red (Indonesia), Crossback Malaysian Golden (Malaysia) and Green (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar). Today these are raised in farms by fish farmers.
In the wild, the Asian Arowana is endangered. As food, it commands a moderate price, but it is much more highly valued as an aquarium fish: people who believe in luck and prosperity pay thousands of dollars for one of these prized fishes. International trade in these fish is controlled under the CITES conventions.
One of the most beautiful variety of Golden Arowana is the Crossback Malaysian Golden. It originated from the "Bukit Merah" river system in Perak, Malaysia. It may have various base colours depending on the locality i.e Blue-based, Gold-based, Green-based, Green and Blue-based (Turquoise) and Purple-based. The highest grade of Crossback Malaysian Golden is the Full Gold Crossback (frameless gold) that originated from the "Sungai Gedong" river system.
The Super Red Arowana is regarded by many, especially in East and Southeast Asia, to be of greatest beauty because red is considered an auspicious colour according to some local cultures. This species is indigenous to the Kalimantan River on the equatorial island of Borneo in Indonesia.
Mouthbrooders
Mouthbrooders are several species of fish that chactisticly care for their ofspring, either eggs or juveniles, by holding them for extended periods of time in the mouth of one or both parents. There are species which do not eat during this period of time. Some experienced mothers often eat what they can while holding eggs. Mouthbrooding is somewhat common amongst African cichlids, with mbuna and Egyptian mouthbrooders being examples. Synadontis Multipunctatus, also known as the Cuckoo Catfish will eat a mouth brooders eggs while spawning and simultaniously laying and fertilizing their own eggs. The mouth brooder will incubate their young, the Catfish eggs hatch earlier than the cichlid's eggs, and then eat the remaining eggs before being set free.
Which parent performs this task differs from species to species but any combination is possible across the species:
both parents share the eggs - usually for species that show a strong pair binding, i.e. pairs that stick together a whole life
the mother holds the eggs - this is often the case for polygame species
the father holds the eggs
or a role change some time in between