Getting your Arowana off to the right start is crucial if your fish is to thrive in its new home environment. Give careful thought to how you will transport your Arowana after purchase to minimize stress. Carefully prepare the Arowana’s new environment. The hardiest Arowanas are strongly affected by even minimal changes, and stress is perhaps the biggest cause of illness you can control.
Destination Preparation

Regardless of whether your Arowana tank is a newer set-up or a well-established tank, its condition prior to your fish’s arrival must be optimal. There are several things you can do to make your Arowana as comfortable as possible in its new surroundings. Each step plays an integral part in minimizing stress and protecting the Arowana from discomfort and the onset of disease.

1. Match pH and temperature as closely as possible to the tank of origin. Particular care should be given to the stability of the pH level. Ideally, pH should be stable for a minimum of three weeks prior to the Arowana’s arrival. Temperature is much easier to control, but is also important to monitor.

2. Ensure water quality is at peak level. A visual inspection is not sufficient for judging your water quality, nor is the condition of tank mates! Ideal ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels should be reported during testing for several weeks prior to your Arowana’s introduction. Test water again just prior to the acclimatization process, as well. Never add medication to tank water in conjunction with acclimatization!

3. Check filtration is functioning optimally prior to acclimatization. Any maintenance to filters or media can dramatically affect water quality. Perform necessary tank maintenance and equipment repairs at least 1 week prior to acclimatization.

4. Inspect tank mates if there are other species currently inhabiting the tank. Each should be in peak condition and show no signs of stress or disease. House only bottom-dwelling, benign tank mates during Arowana acclimatization. Consider moving questionable species to a quarantine tank for several days to avoid the risk of injury to the tank mate or the acclimatizing Arowana.
During Transport

Consider how far your Arowana will have to travel when you decide on a source for your purchase. If at all possible, purchases should be made close to home to minimize transport time. Make every effort to transport your Arowana yourself so you can personally monitor its condition throughout travel. If the Arowana seller will be packing the fish for delivery, discuss what measures will be taken to guarantee safe arrival.

Arowanas should not be fed for at least one day prior to travel. An Arowana should be packed in its own tank water in a double-ply, sturdy plastic bag. Air should fill at least two thirds of the sealed bag to allow for adequate aeration of the Arowana’s temporary environment.

Styrofoam cartons are an ideal medium for transporting bagged Arowana. Styrofoam serves as insulation against rapidly fluctuating temperatures. Keep Styrofoam boxes tightly closed to further stabilize temperature.
Acclimatizing Your Arowana

Take the time to help your Arowana adjust to its new environment by following proper acclimatization procedures. Acclimatization generally takes approximately one hour.
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1. Turn off Aquarium lighting
2. Allow plastic bag containing fish to float in the tank approximately 20 minutes
3. Slowly begin adding a small amount of tank water to the bag at five minute intervals
4. Continue adding tank water until the bag is completely full
5. Empty 50% of the bag’s water, and repeat steps 3 – 4.
6. When bag is full for the second time, slowly release the fish into the tank

Monitor your Arowana closely during the first 48 hours following release. Keep lighting off to minimize stress during this important adjustment period, and pay close attention to interactions with any tank mates. Avoid feeding newly acclimatized fish for at least 24 hours.
Should Difficulties Arise

Have a plan in place for immediate action in the event of trouble during acclimatization. When it comes to injury or illness, it pays to be prepared to correct problems swiftly and effectively. Even a few hours delay in administering treatments or a slightly improper medication dosage can spell disaster for a stressed Arowana.

A fully cycled quarantine tank should be on hand to house injured or ill fish. An Arowana first aid kit is also a smart investment. Should the aquarium shop be closed or out of stock, you’ll always be prepared. Have a variety of water conditioning treatments and medications on hand and know how to use them.