Diets for Arowana?

Question

I really do not want to come off the wrong way, but I generally feel I know extensive knowledge about Arowana. I've spend countless hours watching, observing, caring for, and reading up about them. I do need some help/information though on this. I've done alot of reading up on diets for them, and I feel I have enough food to help them thrive well, with crickets, and some ants, krill, and bloodworms. When I was in the supply store last night, I noticed they stock some small frogs, and was wondering if anyone knew would putting frogs into the tank, with the idea of it being a food source for Arowanas, would this be considered a good or bad thing? Mine currently are about 8 inches each. These frogs should be small enough, for the most part to fit in thier mouths. Does anyone know if they would eat these, and if they would, would this be considered a good or bad source of food for them? I could not find anything published on the web addressing frogs as part of the diet.

Ty, I knew all about insects, I just had yet to find anything about frogs.

Good deal MM and Mack, I think I'm going to give it a shot, only just how do I find out about poisonous frogs? I can put them in my 20 for the time being to quarenntine, but how would I know if they are poisonous or not?

Answer 1

Before all the Hi-Tech stuff right back in the 70's I used to feed mine mostly river fish, Minnows, Dace, small chub, and when i could get them frogs and toads. It was difficult to get locusts and crickets back then, but while were on the subject my kids keep reptiles so I've had to get a passing knowledge on the subject (nothing like dad whys it doing that and not knowing) so crickets and locusts nutritional value is almost zero if they're not allowed to gorge themselves on vegetable matter during the previous 24hrs. Just thought I'd mention that. Only trouble with using the live foods I used back then is obviously the worms and gremlins these foods are going to bring to the table.

AJ

Answer 2

That chart isn't too bad and it's at least semi accurate. As to your question which I answered that one first and didn't see this one, I don't even know what superworms are, but as a baby, feeding them can be tough. I had a yellow tailed Arowana, that came right from Malaysia last year and I got him as a baby. He didn't eat at all the first couple days so don't worry if they don't eat at first. Try him with baby crickets. Worms are tough to feed them especially as a baby. Some flies too if you have them. JV Follow up: I'd agree Mantra, and thats good input. I saw video clips on the centipedes as well. I don't see that very often, and they would work. Great point on the Krill too. I've generally used the baby crickets at first and worked it up from there. The real problem here is it's still a baby, and the mouth will struggle with foods of adult insects. My baby Yellow Tail would eat maybe 1 and that was after he grew out to 5 inches, but I had him at 3 and wouldn't even attempt an adult cricket, so to me, size of the food is the concern. Yeah I agree too, I'd do just about anything if I could import a red over here!!

Answer 3

I have an old book (1930's) that lists frogs as a staple to the arowana diet. They do say to beware of potentially poisonous species often sold in stores, but give no other details (other than a pic of a frogs leg hanging out of an arowanas mouth). I would say if it's small enough they should go for it as they are surface feeders. You could even "gut load" the frogs by feeding them crickets first so the arowana gets both.

MM

Answer 4

Yes, frogs will be a good food source for your Arowana. You do have to make sure they are not poisonous and you should quarantine them for about three days to make sure they do not bring any diseases or parasites in your tank.

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97883

*edit*

Most frogs sold at pet stores are not poisonous, the only way I know how to tell is if they are brightly colored if they are then they are poisonous and if they are not brightly colored then they are not poisonous. I do not know if this works for all species of frogs.

Answer 5

Arowanas will eat crickets, mealworms, centipedes, krill, shrimp, prawns, frogs, and pellets. All live food such as feeder goldfish or frogs should be quarantined for at least a week before feeding to avoid parasites that may be infecting them.

Answer 6

yup they actually eat frogs... my aunt had her arowana be fed with small frogs... i found it somewhat disgusting but its cool.=) usually the frogs that we see in petstores are the ones believed to have no bad effects to the fish when it eats it. but you must know if the pet store you're going to purchase the frogs can be trusted. but to be sure, quarantine your frogs for 2-3 days prior to giving it to the fish. usually diseases manifest after 2-3 days...=)


enjoy and good luck