These fry were still being held safely inside their father’s mouth even though their egg sacs had already been fully absorbed. Based on their development, they are approximately six weeks old. Asian Arowanas are paternal mouthbrooders, with the male protecting the developing fry until they are ready to swim independently.
Timing is important during harvesting. Once the egg sacs have been absorbed, the father will eventually release the fry into the pond. In a large brooder pond filled with adult Arowanas, the risk of predation is extremely high. A small number might find somewhere to hide and survive, but there is also a possibility that none of the brood will remain.
Look closely at how stable these fry are after being transferred into the tank. Their bodies are already well formed, their fins are open and moving actively, and they are maintaining good balance near the surface. They are responsive to one another without swimming frantically or clustering tightly in fear. The fry naturally form loose groups, change direction together and use the presence of their siblings as security while becoming accustomed to their new surroundings.
Although adult Arowanas are highly territorial, young fry naturally prefer to remain in groups. At this stage, schooling provides confidence and helps them respond collectively to movement, feeding and possible danger. Their individual territorial instincts may begin developing from approximately five to six months old, although the timing and intensity will differ between individual fish.
Building a successful Arowana community tank requires much more than placing several fishes together. Their sizes should be closely matched, and it is preferable to introduce them into the environment at the same time. Tank dimensions, swimming space, feeding frequency, water flow and the availability of a backup separation tank must all be considered. Owners must also watch for repeated chasing, damaged fins, missing scales, refusal to eat or one fish being isolated from the group. Early intervention is always better than waiting for a dominant fish to cause serious injuries.
At Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm, every brood is documented and kept separately to preserve its traceability. Our Arowanas are selectively bred through DNA profiling, allowing us to match suitable genetic profiles, minimise DNA dilution and maintain the defining qualities of our pedigree bloodlines.
We will continue monitoring these 31 Pahang Gold Crossback fry closely as they stabilise, begin feeding more actively and progress into their next stage of development.