Black arowana
A South American freshwater fish known for its dark colour and jumping hunting style.
The black arowana is a bony fish native to the Rio Negro basin in tropical South America. It grows up to 1.2 metres and is hunted for food and kept in large aquariums.
- Maximum length reaches 1.2 metres
- Males carry eggs in their mouths
- Hunts by jumping out of water
- Native to Rio Negro basin
- Juveniles have yellow markings
What it is
This species belongs to the Osteoglossidae family of bony fishes. Adults display a dark steel grey or blue hue with red and yellow fin edges. Juveniles are black with yellow markings that fade as they grow past fifteen centimetres. The body is elongated with a tapered tail. Maximum size reaches one point two metres, though typical lengths are around ninety centimetres. They inhabit blackwater environments in tropical regions.
Where it lives
Native waters include the Rio Negro basin and the Branco River in South America. Records from the Orinoco basin exist since the nineteen seventies, but human introduction remains debated. The fish stays in one area rather than migrating long distances. During dry periods it hides in backwaters and lagoons. Flooded forests become its home when rains raise water levels.
How it lives
These predators swim near the surface to hunt. They can leap from the water to catch prey, earning names like water monkey. Their drawbridge-like mouths suit surface feeding on floating items. Diets include shrimps, insects, small fish, and occasionally bats or monkeys. They remain sedentary within their chosen blackwater habitats throughout the year.
Breeding and life cycle
Females lay up to two hundred and ten eggs during the high water season. Males carry these eggs in their mouths until the young hatch. The juveniles stay protected inside the male’s mouth until they reach seven centimetres in length. Only then are they released into the open water to begin independent life.
Fish and people
Large numbers are caught for local food supplies. The aquarium trade also captures many individuals, though they require very spacious tanks due to their predatory nature. Some Asian keepers call them dragonfish and believe they bring luck. Conservation status is generally common, though heavy fishing pressure exists in some areas.
Status and threats
The species is currently considered common across its range. Heavy fishing for both food and the pet trade impacts populations. Habitat changes in blackwater systems may affect availability. No specific endangered status is listed in current records. Management practices vary by region depending on local demand.
Questions people ask about Black arowana
What does the black arowana eat?
They eat shrimps, insects, small fishes, and occasionally bats or monkeys found floating on the surface. Their unique mouth shape helps them catch prey at the water line.
How big do black arowanas get?
They typically reach ninety centimetres. Reports confirm individuals growing up to one point two metres in total length. This makes them suitable only for very large aquariums.
Where do black arowanas live?
They inhabit the Rio Negro basin in South America. They prefer blackwater habitats like backwaters and flooded forests. Some exist in the Orinoco basin too.
Why are they called water monkeys?
They earn this name because they jump out of the water to capture prey. This behaviour mimics monkeys grabbing fruit, making them easy targets for hunters.
Good reading and sources
- Black arowana on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Black 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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