African arowana
Plankton-eating bonytongue fish native to African rivers
The African arowana is a large freshwater fish found across West and Central Africa. It feeds on plankton using specialised organs and tolerates low oxygen levels. Locals harvest it for food, and farmers raise it in ponds due to its hardy nature.
- Reaches lengths of up to 1 metre
- Feeds extensively on plankton
- Breathes air in low-oxygen water
- Successfully farmed in native range
- Introduced to Madagascar and Congo basin
What it is
This long-bodied fish belongs to the bonytongue group. It features large scales and fins positioned far back on its frame. The tail fin is rounded. Adults display uniform grey, brown, or bronze colours, while young fish often show dark bands along their sides. It can grow up to one metre in length and weigh over ten kilograms. Unlike other arowanas, it has a terminal mouth suited for filtering small particles from the water.
Where it lives
Native waters include the Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Volta, and Nile river basins. It also inhabits Lake Chad and Lake Turkana. Humans have introduced it to new areas such as Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Congo River basin. These introductions sometimes harm local ecosystems. The species thrives in various freshwater environments across West, Central, and parts of Eastern Africa, including Madagascar.
How it lives
It survives in water with low oxygen by breathing air through organs near its gills. This adaptation allows it to live in stagnant or depleted habitats. The fish filters plankton from the water using a suprabranchial organ, which also serves a sensory role. It is not aggressive towards other fish, unlike its South American and Asian relatives. This calm behaviour helps it coexist in crowded conditions.
Fish and people
Local communities catch this fish for food. Farmers also raise it in ponds because it handles crowding well and eats easily. In the past, collectors took juveniles for home aquariums. Its ease of care makes it a successful subject for aquaculture in its native range. The meat provides a protein source for people living near its habitats.
Questions people ask about African arowana
What does the African arowana eat?
It feeds extensively on plankton. A special organ helps it concentrate these small food particles from the water. This diet sets it apart from other arowana species that typically hunt larger prey.
Can it survive in poor water conditions?
Yes, it has air-breathing organs on its branchiae. This allows it to survive in water with low oxygen levels. It uses a suprabranchial organ to breathe air when needed.
Is it kept in aquariums?
It has been collected for the aquarium trade in the past. It is less aggressive than its relatives. However, it grows quite large, reaching up to one metre in length.
Good reading and sources
- African arowana on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "African arowana", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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