Stressed out Arowana can be hard to identify because their size highlights the difference in their behavior and the physical signs.
So, once your Arowana is looking a bit off and isn’t behaving normally, it is likely that the fish is dealing with stress.
Arowanas are luxury fish that one can own in his aquarium. They are magnificent creatures that need a massive space and a clean tropical environment. If they don’t get to live in proper living conditions, they too get stressed like any other fish.
How exactly do you know if Arowana is stressed, can they recover, and how do we calm down a stressed-out Arowana? Let’s dive in and find out!
How do you know if Arowana is stressed?
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The physical signs of a stressed-out Arowana can be challenging to miss. The most common are color changes.
Typically, Arowanas are silver or light gold, but when they’re stressed, they can turn pale. Following are some more signs and symptoms of a stressed-out Arowana.
Swimming erratically
Although Arowanas are giant fish strong enough to swim fast, they usually don’t swim that fast.
They are generally slow movers that prefer to glide through the water. When Arowana stressed-out, they can start swimming erratically around the tank. They may also try to jump out of the tank, which is not normal or a healthy Arowana.
While swimming rapidly around the tank, your Arowana might injure itself by hitting the aquarium glass and the decorations.
It may also break the glass of the aquarium, which can be extremely dangerous for both you and the fish.
Hiding
When Arowanas are stressed, they tend to hide. They’ll go to the bottom of the tank or hide behind plants or rocks. This is among the easiest ways to tell if your Arowana is stressed.
Arowanas are dominant creatures that love to be on the focus. When they’re stressed, they’ll try to get away from the people and other fish in the tank.
Biting fins
Arowanas are usually live alone, but it is not uncommon to see a couple of Arowanas in the same tank. Some even keep these fish with other species.
While Arowanas are not aggressive, they can get territorial when stressed. When this happens, they may start biting the fins of other fish in the tank.
Sleeping on the bottom
Arowana is a fish that likes to be active and they normally like to swim near the surface.
Stressed ou Arowana, start sleeping on the bottom of the tank. They may not be sleeping actually, but they may be resting to conserve energy.
Gill cover closure
This is a sign that the Arowana is very stressed and is usually seen in conjunction with other symptoms. When the gill cover is not open, the fish is not getting enough oxygen and is in danger.
Loss of appetite
Arowana is a carnivorous fish that loves to eat. They are opportunistic feeders that usually feed when they see their prey.
When they’re stressed, they may stop eating altogether. This is bad for their health and can also lead to death.
Gasping at the surface
Although Arowanas prefer to stay near the surface, it is not usual for them to gasp air at the surface. If you see your Arowana doing this, it is a sign that the fish is in serious trouble.
Arowanas often gasp air at the surface when the water conditions in the tank are bad. If the tank is dirty or has low oxygen levels, Arowana will try to get more oxygen from the air.
If you observe any of these signs in your Arowana, the fish is likely stressed. It is essential to take action to reduce stress and improve the condition of your fish.
Why do Arowanas get stressed?
There are several reasons why Arowanas may become stressed. Some of the most common are:
- Tank size
- Tankmates
- The type of decor in the tank
- The water conditions in the tank
- The amount of light in the tank
- The sound levels in the tank
Tank size
Arowanas are large fish and need a lot of space to swim. If you keep Arowanas in a too-small tank, they will become stressed.
Tankmates
Arowanas are territorial fish and will become stressed if kept with other fish they don’t trust. The best tank mates for Arowanas are other large fish that are not aggressive.
The type of decor in the tank
Arowanas need a lot of space to swim, and the decorations in the tank should not block their path. If the fish feels like it’s being restricted, it will become stressed.
The water conditions in the tank
Arowanas are very sensitive to changes in water conditions. If the water’s pH, temperature, or hardness is not ideal, the fish will become stressed.
The amount of light in the tank
Arowana prefers to live in a tank with a lot of light. If the tank is too dark, the fish will become stressed.
The sound levels in the tank
Arowanas are very sensitive to sound and become stressed if the tank is too loud or placed in a highly crowded area.
Does water change stress out Arowana fish?
Arowanas are very sensitive to changes in water conditions, and a water change can stress them out.
However, It is essential to ensure that the new water is the same temperature, pH, and hardness as the old water. It is also important to acclimate the fish to the new water slowly over several hours. If you don’t acclimate the fish, it may become stressed and sick.
Can a stressed fish recover?
Yes, a stressed fish can recover. If the fish is in an inadequately sized tank, you can move it to a larger tank.
If other fish are bullying the fish, you can remove it from the tank. You can change the water conditions in the Arowana tank if they aren’t perfect.
If the fish is stressed because of the amount of light or sound in the tank, you can adjust the light or sound levels.
However, if you take action to remove the cause of the stress, the fish will likely recover. However, it is essential to keep an eye on the fish and make sure they eat and swim normally. If the fish does not recover, it may be sick, and you should consult a veterinarian.
What to do if Arowana is stressed?
When your Arowana is stressed out, you should observe your fish closely and find out the reason for the stress. Once you know the cause of the stress, you can take action to remove it.
Ways to calm down a stressed-out Arowana
There are many ways to reduce stress in an Arowana.
The most important thing to remember is that they need plenty of space and good water quality. Ensure your tank is big enough and has plenty of hiding places for the fish.
Below are some of the actions you can take to reduce the stress in your Arowana fish.
Adjust the water conditions
If your Arowana is looking odd, the first thing you should check out is your tank’s water parameters.
Buy a water test kit and check the water’s pH, temperature, and hardness to make sure they are all in the ideal range. If they’re not, you can adjust them.
Acclimate the fish to new water conditions
If you’re going to do a water change, it’s important to acclimate the fish to the new water conditions.
Place a new water container near the tank and slowly add small amounts of the new water to the tank.
Over several hours, add more and more of the new water until you’ve replaced all the water in the tank. This will help to prevent your Arowana from becoming stressed.
Increase the number of hiding places
If your Arowana is stressed, you can increase the number of hiding places in the tank.
Add some artificial plants, rocks, and other decorations to give the fish a place to hide. This will help to reduce stress and make the fish feel more comfortable.
Reduce the sound levels
If your Arowana is stressed because of the noise levels, you can reduce the noise levels. Install an efficient and quiet aquarium filter or move the tank to a more peaceful location.
Reduce the light levels
If your Arowana is stressed because of the light levels, you can reduce the light levels. Install an aquarium hood or cover to block out some of the light. You can also reduce the amount of time the light is on.
Add filter and an air pump
If your Arowana is stressed because of the water quality, you can add an additional filter and air pump to the tank. This will help to improve the water quality and make the fish more comfortable.
Feed the fish
If your Arowana is stressed, you can try feeding the fish with different food. Feed the fish a high-quality diet rich in protein and other nutrients. This will help to reduce stress and promote growth.
Change the water regularly
Regular water changes will ensure constantly clean water and reduce stress. Water changes also help remove toxins from the water that can be harmful to the fish.
Reduce overcrowding of your tank
If you have more than one Arowana fish in your tank, try removing some of the fish. This will help reduce stress and make the remaining fish happier and healthier.
Transfer the Arowana to a larger tank
If any of the above steps won’t work, you will have to transfer the Arowana to a larger tank. Try to find a tank that is at least 150 gallons. This will give the fish plenty of space to swim and reduce stress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Arowana fish are sensitive to stress and can become sick if they stressed for too long. If you think your Arowana is stressed, you should take action to remove the cause of the stress.
You can try adjusting the water conditions, increasing the number of hiding places, reducing the light levels, feeding the fish with different food, or changing the water regularly.
If none of these measures work, you may need to move the Arowana to a larger tank.
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