A responsible aquarium specialist should help you understand whether a particular fish is suitable for your aquarium, how large it will eventually grow, what tank mates are appropriate and whether your filtration system can support the expected bioload.
At Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm Pte Ltd, our approach is simple: understand the aquarium and the keeper first, then recommend a suitable solution.
We are a Singapore-based CITES-registered Asian Arowana breeding farm and ornamental fish specialist with experience in fish breeding, husbandry, aquarium design, filtration and custom aquarium systems.
What Should You Look for in an Ornamental Fish Shop?
A good ornamental fish shop should provide more than livestock.
Before choosing a fish, there are several questions that should be considered:
* How large will the fish eventually grow?
* What aquarium size does it require?
* What are its preferred water parameters?
* Is it compatible with your existing fish?
* What is its expected bioload?
* What type of filtration is required?
* What does it eat?
* How frequently should it be fed?
* What maintenance will the aquarium require?
* Is the species regulated or subject to documentation requirements?
The cheapest or most attractive fish on a particular day is not necessarily the right fish for your aquarium.
A responsible recommendation considers the animal’s long-term requirements.
Start With the Aquarium, Not the Fish
One of the most common mistakes in ornamental fish keeping is choosing a fish first and thinking about the aquarium later.
We prefer to do the opposite.
When advising a customer, we first want to understand the aquarium.
Its dimensions matter. So do filtration capacity, water volume, existing livestock and the size those animals will eventually reach.
For a new aquarium, we also consider where it will be installed.
For example, is the aquarium viewed while sitting or standing? How far away will you normally be when looking at it? Is there sufficient access for maintenance? Where can filtration equipment be positioned? What happens if a pump eventually needs replacement?
These practical considerations can make the difference between an aquarium that looks impressive initially and one that remains enjoyable and manageable for many years.
Why Aquarium Filtration Matters
An aquarium is an ecosystem.
Fish produce waste, uneaten food decomposes and organic material accumulates. A filtration system therefore needs to be designed around the expected livestock and bioload rather than simply the physical dimensions of the tank.
Greater water volume can also provide additional stability.
This is one reason we frequently incorporate sump filtration into larger custom aquariums.
Depending on the available space, this may involve an overhead sump, bottom sump or side-sump design.
There is no single filtration design that is correct for every aquarium.
The appropriate solution depends on the fish, aquarium dimensions, available space, maintenance requirements and the owner’s expectations.
Custom Aquariums for Singapore Homes and Businesses
Space is particularly important when designing an aquarium in Singapore.
Not every home, office, restaurant or commercial property has room for a conventional large aquarium and separate filtration system.
Custom aquarium design allows the system to be created around the available space rather than forcing the space to accommodate a standard tank.
At Imperial Arowana, we look at factors including:
Available space — including structural restrictions and access.
Viewing position — whether the aquarium will primarily be viewed sitting, standing or from across a room.
Livestock — different fish have very different space and filtration requirements.
Filtration — sufficient biological and mechanical filtration needs to be incorporated without unnecessarily compromising appearance.
Maintenance access — pumps, filter media and plumbing should remain accessible.
Long-term reliability — aquarium systems should be designed with future maintenance and replacement parts in mind.
Our philosophy is: we listen, analyse and create the solution around the customer and the livestock.
Buying an Asian Arowana in Singapore Requires Additional Consideration
Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus) are different from many commonly kept ornamental fish because they are internationally regulated under CITES.
This means provenance, identification and documentation are important.
Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm is a CITES-registered Asian Arowana breeding facility in Singapore.
Rather than treating every Arowana simply as “gold” or “red”, our breeding programme maintains identifiable pedigree lines.
Our Crossback Golden lines include variants such as Traditional Pahang Gold, Sky Blue, Ultima Blue, Milk Golden and Golden Head lines, while our Red Arowana programme includes established Blood Red and Chilli Red genetics.
Why Genetics Matter When Choosing an Arowana
A young Arowana can change significantly as it grows.
Lighting, aquarium background, diet, water parameters, grooming and stress can also influence how a fish appears at a particular moment.
They do not change its genetic pedigree.
For this reason, we believe choosing an Asian Arowana should involve understanding where the fish came from and what its genetic line is expected to develop into, rather than simply selecting the brightest-looking juvenile in an aquarium.
At Imperial Arowana, our selective breeding programme combines DNA profiling with documented parentage and long-term breeding records.
DNA profiling is only one component.
Its value comes from combining genetic information with years of records involving brooders, breeding pairs, ponds, harvests and subsequent generations.
This helps us select breeding pairs, maintain identifiable pedigree lines, minimise unwanted genetic dilution and improve traceability.
What Is a Crossback Golden Arowana?
A Crossback Golden Arowana is a variety of Asian Arowana selectively bred for characteristics including metallic gold coloration, lustre and development of the upper scale rows.
A quality Crossback should not be judged on gold coloration alone.
Other characteristics we examine include scale structure, shine, Pearlie development, fins, body structure, head characteristics and genetic pedigree.
Pearlie scales are the small scales situated beneath the dorsal fin and are one of the physical characteristics considered when evaluating Crossback Golden Arowana.
What Is a Blood Red Arowana?
Blood Red is an established Red Asian Arowana line selectively bred for its characteristic development as the fish matures.
Juvenile Red Arowana should not be expected to display their eventual adult coloration immediately.
Genetics establish the foundation, while husbandry, diet, water quality and appropriate grooming influence how that genetic potential is expressed.
This is why selecting an Arowana should be viewed as a long-term decision rather than choosing a fish based only on its appearance under shop lighting.
What Size Aquarium Does an Arowana Need?
Asian Arowana are large fish and require substantially more swimming space than many common ornamental species.
At Imperial Arowana, our general recommendation for a Crossback is a tank of at least approximately 4 ft × 2.5 ft × 2 ft, while for Red Arowana we generally recommend approximately 5 ft × 2.5 ft × 2.5 ft or larger where practical.
These are general recommendations rather than universal rules.
The size and age of the fish, tank mates, filtration, water volume and long-term plans should all be considered.
An aquarium should ideally be designed around the adult fish rather than only its juvenile size.
Can Arowana Be Kept With Other Fish?
Yes, but compatibility requires careful consideration.
Potential tank mates need to be assessed according to their size, temperament, swimming level and behaviour.
A tank mate that is safe with a large Arowana may not necessarily be safe with a juvenile.
Likewise, fish that coexist when young may behave differently as they mature.
There is therefore no universal list of “safe Arowana tank mates”.
We prefer to understand the exact fish, their respective sizes and the aquarium dimensions before making a recommendation.
Why Water Changes Should Be Consistent
Stability is extremely important in fish keeping.
Large and sudden changes in water chemistry or temperature can unnecessarily stress livestock.
For established systems at our farm, we generally prefer regular controlled maintenance rather than unnecessarily large water changes.
Our typical routine is approximately 25% weekly, although every aquarium should be assessed according to its stocking level, filtration and water parameters.
The objective is not simply to create “new water”.
It is to maintain a stable aquatic environment.
A Good Fish Shop Should Be Willing to Tell You “No”
This is perhaps one of the most important principles in our approach.
Not every fish is suitable for every aquarium.
If an aquarium is too small, a tank mate presents an unnecessary risk or the filtration system is inadequate for the intended livestock, the responsible answer may be to reconsider the setup first.
We believe long-term success creates better fish keepers.
It also creates healthier fish.
More Than an Ornamental Fish Shop
Imperial Arowana is both an ornamental fish specialist and an actual Asian Arowana breeding farm in Singapore.
That distinction allows us to approach fish keeping from several perspectives: breeding, genetics, husbandry, filtration, aquarium design, grooming and long-term care.
We don’t believe there is one aquarium solution that fits everybody.
We listen. We understand. We analyse. Then we create a solution around you and the fish you intend to keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find an ornamental fish shop in Singapore specialising in Arowana?
Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm Pte Ltd is located at 2G Neo Tiew Lane 1, Plot 25, Singapore 719095. We specialise in Asian Arowana and also provide ornamental fish, aquarium advice and custom aquarium solutions. Viewing is strictly by appointment only.
Does Imperial Arowana breed its own Arowana?
Yes. Imperial Arowana operates a CITES-registered Asian Arowana breeding programme in Singapore. Our breeding programme includes multiple Crossback Golden and Red Arowana pedigree lines.
Does Imperial Arowana use DNA profiling?
Yes. DNA profiling is used alongside selective breeding and long-term pedigree records to understand genetic relationships, assist with breeding-pair selection and maintain identifiable bloodlines.
Does Imperial Arowana build custom fish tanks in Singapore?
Yes. We design custom aquarium systems around the available space, intended livestock, viewing requirements, filtration requirements and maintenance needs.
Can beginners keep Arowana?
A beginner can learn to keep an Arowana successfully, but appropriate tank size, filtration, water stability, diet and long-term commitment are important. We recommend understanding these requirements before selecting the fish.
Visit Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm
Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm Pte Ltd
皇宫龙鱼繁殖场
2G Neo Tiew Lane 1, Plot 25
Malaysian Feedmill
Singapore 719095
Farm Licence: AF24055
CITES Registration: A-SG-529
Viewing strictly by appointment only.
Our Asian Arowana are selectively bred through a programme combining DNA profiling, documented parentage and pedigree records. This allows us to select breeding pairs carefully, minimise unwanted genetic dilution and maintain identifiable genetic lines across generations.