Quick answer
IUCN status: EndangeredAsian arowana at a glance
The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a freshwater fish in the family Osteoglossidae. Range in Indonesia: Sumatra and Borneo (Kalimantan), especially West Kalimantan. Diet: young: surface insects; adults: fish, frogs, large insects; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Endangered. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Scleropages formosus |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Arwana asia |
| Group | Freshwater fish |
| Family | Osteoglossidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Sumatra and Borneo (Kalimantan), especially West Kalimantan |
| Linked habitats | Freshwater Wetlands |
| Diet | Young: surface insects; adults: fish, frogs, large insects |
| Range in Indonesia | Sumatra and Kalimantan, especially West Kalimantan |
| Key feature | Large scales, two chin barbels, male mouthbroods the eggs |
| Other names | Dragon fish, siluk, Kalimantan arowana |
| IUCN status | Endangered · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 747 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — predator: young fish eat insects at the water surface, adults take fish and small vertebrates · FishBase |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · FishBase |
| Venom or poison | Not venomous · FishBase: Scleropages formosus species summary |
| Observance days | National Day of Love for Flora and Fauna (5 November) |
In this guide (11)
What is the Asian arowana?
The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a large freshwater bonytongue (family Osteoglossidae) with big scales and a pair of barbels on the chin. FishBase gives a maximum length of 90 cm. It is one of the world's most expensive ornamental fishes.
It has several natural colour forms, including green, silver, red-tail golden and super red. In 2003, Pouyaud and colleagues split these into four species: S. formosus (green), S. macrocephalus (silver), S. aureus (red-tail golden) and S. legendrei (super red). The split is disputed. A 2023 cytogenetic study found no clear support for the colour forms being separate lineages, and FishBase lists only S. formosus.
Evidence: FishBase — Scleropages formosus, Asian bonytongue ↗ · Cybium 27(4) — Pouyaud, Sudarto & Teugels (2003), The different colour varieties of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus (Osteoglossidae) are distinct species: morphologic and genetic evidences ↗ · International Journal of Molecular Sciences (PMC) — Toma et al. (2023), Cytogenetics meets genomics: cytotaxonomy and genomic relationships among color variants of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus ↗
Where does the Asian arowana live?
In Indonesia, the Asian arowana lives in rivers, lakes and swamps on Sumatra and Borneo. Beyond Indonesia it ranges into Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and southern Myanmar. FishBase describes its habitat as tea-coloured blackwater streams and forest streams, including areas near peat.
According to Pouyaud and colleagues, the super red form comes from small forested lakes around Danau Sentarum in the upper Kapuas, West Kalimantan. The red-tail golden comes from around the Siak River (Pekanbaru) and the Batanghari River (Jambi), and the silver from the Barito, Melawi and Pinoh rivers. Mongabay Indonesia (2019) reports that wild super reds now survive only in Empangau and Merebung lakes in Kapuas Hulu.
Evidence: FishBase — Scleropages formosus, Asian bonytongue ↗ · Cybium 27(4) — Pouyaud, Sudarto & Teugels (2003), The different colour varieties of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus (Osteoglossidae) are distinct species: morphologic and genetic evidences ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia (2019) — Kelestarian Silok Merah Terancam di Alam ↗
What does the Asian arowana eat?
The Asian arowana is a predator: young fish eat insects at the water surface, while adults take fish and small vertebrates, according to FishBase. Pouyaud and colleagues add that adults also eat frogs and large insects.
Gusti Suhardi, head of the Kapuas Hulu conservation resort, told Mongabay Indonesia that arowanas cannot survive in mud and normally live near the surface, so the long 1997 drought that dried the lakes also hit the population.
Evidence: FishBase — Scleropages formosus, Asian bonytongue ↗ · Cybium 27(4) — Pouyaud, Sudarto & Teugels (2003), The different colour varieties of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus (Osteoglossidae) are distinct species: morphologic and genetic evidences ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia (2019) — Kelestarian Silok Merah Terancam di Alam ↗
How does the Asian arowana breed?
The Asian arowana broods its eggs in its mouth, and it is the male that does so. According to an observation quoted by FishBase, courtship lasts from several weeks to months, usually at night near the surface.
The female then releases a cluster of orange-red eggs. The male fertilises them and scoops them into his mouth. The eggs hatch after about a week, and the larvae stay in the male's mouth for another 7–8 weeks until the yolk sac is absorbed. The young emerge at about 6 cm long. Pouyaud and colleagues record a low egg count of roughly 50–150 eggs.
Evidence: FishBase — Scleropages formosus, Asian bonytongue ↗ · Cybium 27(4) — Pouyaud, Sudarto & Teugels (2003), The different colour varieties of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus (Osteoglossidae) are distinct species: morphologic and genetic evidences ↗
Why is the Asian arowana protected when so many are sold?
Arowanas sold legally come from captive breeding, while wild fish are protected because collecting for the ornamental trade has drained wild populations. The species is on CITES Appendix I and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
According to the fisheries ministry (KKP), taking wild fish is not allowed. Only second-generation (F2) captive-bred fish and their offspring may be traded, with a fish utilisation permit (SIPJI) and transport documents (SAJI). Mongabay Indonesia reports super red prices from Rp2.5 million to hundreds of millions of rupiah, and says hunting rose after arowanas became popular aquarium fish in Japan in 1971.
Evidence: Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan (2023) — KKP Ajak Masyarakat Lindungi Arwana Kalimantan ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia (2019) — Kelestarian Silok Merah Terancam di Alam ↗ · FishBase — Scleropages formosus, Asian bonytongue ↗
How can wild Asian arowanas be protected?
The Asian arowana is legally protected. The annex to Regulation P.106/2018 lists it as entry 747 (siluk kalimantan), and KKP gave it full protection in Fisheries Decree No. 1 of 2021.
Hunting is not the only threat. Mongabay Indonesia notes that peat-swamp conversion, logging, plantations and fires also squeeze its habitat. Fishers and officials at Danau Sentarum link the loss of super reds to logging that changed water quality. At Empangau lake, villagers protect the lake through village rules and local custom. People can help by never catching or buying wild arowanas and by reporting illegal capture to fisheries (KKP) or conservation (BKSDA) officers.
Evidence: JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Lampiran Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗ · Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan (2023) — KKP Ajak Masyarakat Lindungi Arwana Kalimantan ↗ · Cybium 27(4) — Pouyaud, Sudarto & Teugels (2003), The different colour varieties of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus (Osteoglossidae) are distinct species: morphologic and genetic evidences ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Asian arowana
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Osteoglossiformes |
| Family | Osteoglossidae |
| Genus | Scleropages |
| Species | Scleropages formosus |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Asian arowana
What is the scientific name of the Asian arowana?
The scientific name of the Asian arowana is Scleropages formosus, in the family Osteoglossidae. In Indonesian it is called Arwana asia.
What kind of animal is the Asian arowana?
The Asian arowana is a freshwater fish in the family Osteoglossidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a predator: young fish eat insects at the water surface, adults take fish and small vertebrates.
Where does the Asian arowana live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the Asian arowana in: Sumatra and Borneo (Kalimantan), especially West Kalimantan.
Source-supported habitats: Freshwater Wetlands.
What does the Asian arowana eat?
Diet of the Asian arowana: young: surface insects; adults: fish, frogs, large insects. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: FishBase.
How does the Asian arowana reproduce?
The Asian arowana reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Paternal mouthbrooder: the female releases the eggs, and the male fertilises them and keeps them in his mouth until they hatch (about a week); the larvae stay in his mouth for another 7–8 weeks. Source: FishBase.
Is the Asian arowana venomous?
No. The Asian arowana is not venomous. Source: FishBase: Scleropages formosus species summary.
Do not catch, handle or disturb wild animals. If bitten, stung or exposed to its toxins, go to the nearest health facility straight away.
What are the main features of the Asian arowana?
Key features of the Asian arowana, from this guide’s sources: Key feature: large scales, two chin barbels, male mouthbroods the eggs.
What is the scientific classification of the Asian arowana?
Scientific classification of the Asian arowana: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Actinopterygii, order Osteoglossiformes, family Osteoglossidae, genus Scleropages, species Scleropages formosus.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Asian arowana endangered?
Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the Asian arowana is listed as Endangered: it is considered to face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the Asian arowana protected in Indonesia?
Is the Asian arowana protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 747).
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the Asian arowana be kept as a pet?
Only officially captive-bred arowana. According to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), arowana may not be taken from the wild; only second-generation (F2) captive-bred fish and their offspring may be used. Any use requires a species-use permit (SIPJI), and transport requires a fish transport document (SAJI). Source: Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan (2023) — KKP Ajak Masyarakat Lindungi Arwana Kalimantan.
If you see this animal taken from the wild or sold without documents, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Compare with similar animals
Sources & references
- FishBase — Scleropages formosus, Asian bonytongue ↗
- Cybium 27(4) — Pouyaud, Sudarto & Teugels (2003), The different colour varieties of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus (Osteoglossidae) are distinct species: morphologic and genetic evidences ↗
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences (PMC) — Toma et al. (2023), Cytogenetics meets genomics: cytotaxonomy and genomic relationships among color variants of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus ↗
- Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan (2023) — KKP Ajak Masyarakat Lindungi Arwana Kalimantan ↗
- Mongabay Indonesia (2019) — Kelestarian Silok Merah Terancam di Alam ↗
- JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Lampiran Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.
Cite this page
PanduanHewan. (2026, 1 October). Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus). PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/asian-arowana/