Description
Scientific Name: Osteoglossum bicirrhosum (Albino variant) Common Name: Albino Arowana, Platinum Arowana (sometimes confused, though Platinum is a different gene) Origin: Captive bred from the Amazon species (does not occur naturally in these numbers).
Physical Characteristics This fish is prized for its “ghostly” beauty.
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Coloration: Unlike the metallic gray of the standard Silver Arowana, the Albino version lacks dark pigment (melanin). Its scales are a shiny white, cream, or light gold.
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Eyes: The most defining feature is its red glowing eyes, which differ from the black/blue eyes of the normal variety.
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Body: It has the same knife-like, elongated body and “drawbridge” mouth as the standard Silver Arowana.
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Size: If your fish is currently 12 inches, it is a sub-adult. Be prepared—it will not stay this size. They grow very fast and can reach 3 feet (90 cm) in length.
Behavior and Temperament
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Surface Dweller: They swim almost exclusively at the very top of the tank. Their upward-facing mouth is designed to snatch food from the surface.
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Jumping: Arowanas are famous jumpers (known as “Water Monkeys” in the wild). A heavy, tight-fitting lid is 100% mandatory. They are strong enough to knock light lids off.
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Vision: Albino fish often have slightly poorer eyesight than normal fish due to their red eyes. They may be a bit more skittish or slower to find food than a standard Arowana.
Care and Habitat
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Tank Size: At 12 inches, it needs at least a 75-gallon tank right now, but you will eventually need a 200+ gallon tank for its adult life.
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Diet: They are carnivores. At this size (12 inches), they will eat pellets, freeze-dried krill, crickets, and market shrimp. Avoid feeding live “feeder fish” (like goldfish) too often, as they can carry diseases.
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Lighting: Because their albino eyes are sensitive to bright light, it is best to use dimmer lighting or floating plants to diffuse the light, which will help keep the fish calm.
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