Chili Red Arowana
Scleropages formosus
The Chili Red Arowana (Scleropages formosus) is an aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 900 litres (238 US gallons), water held at 75-86°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Southeast Asia
- East & Southeast Asia
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Chili Red Arowana Tank Setup
Treat 900 litres (238 US gallons) as a starting point - big predators need length, strong filtration, and a secure lid. Hold the water at 75-86°F and pH 6-7.5, and assume anything small enough to swallow will eventually be eaten. They grow to around 90 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.
What Do Chili Red Arowanas Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Chili Red Arowana Tank Mates
Extremely large species; unsuitable for most home aquariums; requires very large tank and secure lid The Chili Red Arowana is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Chili Red Arowanas Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Chili Red Arowana - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Chili Red Arowanas need?
Chili Red Arowanas need a tank of at least 900 litres (238 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Chili Red Arowanas need?
Keep them at 75-86°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Chili Red Arowanas eat?
Chili Red Arowanas are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Chili Red Arowanas good for beginners?
Chili Red Arowanas are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Common mistakes with Chili Red Arowanas
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 900 litres (238 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Adding to a new tank - Chili Red Arowanas need a fully cycled, stable aquarium; ammonia spikes in new setups are usually fatal.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Chili Red Arowanas
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Zebra DanioFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
