🐟 Identity & Origin

• Scientific Name: Osteoglossum bicirrhosum (Albino variant)

• Common Names: Albino Silver Arowana, Albino Arowana

• Origin: Amazon Basin (South America), in slow-moving waters like flooded forests, lakes, and river basins

• Rarity: Albino version is very rare and highly valued in the aquarium trade

🌈 Appearance

• Color: White to pearly-gold body with red or pink eyes (due to albinism)

• Shape: Long, streamlined body with large metallic scales

• Barbels: Two long sensory barbels extending from the lower jaw

• Fins: Long dorsal and anal fins that nearly meet the tail, giving a flowing, ribbon-like appearance

• Juveniles: May show light yellow or blue tints that fade with age

📏 Size & Lifespan

• Adult Size: Up to 3 feet (90 cm) in captivity

• Lifespan: 10–15 years typically, over 20 years with excellent care

• Growth Rate: Fast-growing when properly fed and housed

🏠 Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 250 gallons for a single adult

• Ideal Setup: Wide and long tank with a tight-fitting lid (they are strong jumpers)

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)

  • pH: 6.5–7.5

  • Hardness: 1–15 dGH

  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0

  • Nitrate: <30 ppm

• Filtration: Powerful filtration system with high oxygenation

• Substrate & Decor: Bare bottom or soft substrate; minimal decorations to avoid injury

• Lighting: Moderate; avoid harsh lighting to reduce stress

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

• Type: Carnivore

• Preferred Foods:

  • Floating carnivore pellets

  • Frozen/thawed shrimp, krill, silversides

  • Insects (crickets, mealworms)

  • Occasional live foods (feeders only if quarantined)

• Feeding Frequency:

  • Juveniles: 2–3 times daily

  • Adults: Once daily

• Tips: Avoid overfeeding; promote surface feeding to prevent "droopy eye" syndrome

🧠 Behavior & Tankmates

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive, solitary as adults

• Behavior: Surface-dwelling predator, calm when unprovoked

• Compatibility:

  • Suitable Tankmates: Large, peaceful or semi-aggressive species (Oscar fish, Bichirs, Silver Dollars, Datnoids, large Plecos)

  • Avoid: Small fish (may be eaten), aggressive tankmates, or fin-nippers

• Note: Best kept alone or with similarly sized, non-aggressive species in a massive tank

🧬 Breeding Information

• Type: Egg-layer; male is a mouthbrooder

• Spawning: Rarely occurs in home aquariums due to size and environmental requirements

• Parental Care: Male carries fertilized eggs and fry in his mouth for 6–8 weeks

• Difficulty: Extremely difficult to breed in captivity—usually done in specialized farms

🛠️ Care Notes & Challenges

• Jumping Risk: Very strong jumpers—always use secure lids

• Sensitive to Water Quality: Pristine water conditions required

• Droopy Eye Risk: Can occur from bottom feeding or poor water quality

• Light Sensitivity: Due to lack of pigmentation, they may prefer subdued lighting

✔️ Pros & Cons

📌 Quick Reference Summary

IMAGES ARE FOR REPRESENTATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.