Myanmar Arowana
Scleropages inscriptus
The only arowana with geometric line markings etched across its head and flanks.
About
The Myanmar Arowana (Scleropages inscriptus) is a genuinely distinctive member of the ancient arowana family, and the one species in its genus you can identify at a glance without any debate. While most arowanas rely on scale sheen and body shape for identification, this one carries a set of angular, etched-looking linear markings across the bony plates of the head, cheeks, and gill covers, as well as along the flanks. A pattern unique among its relatives. It comes from the Tananthayi River basin in southern Myanmar, a region also known historically as the Tenasserim, and like other arowanas it is a surface-oriented predator built for ambushing prey from below. In the aquarium it needs meaty foods and the kind of long, open surface area that lets it move comfortably. Arowanas are not fish that appreciate clutter at the top of the tank. The care level is listed as beginner relative to other arowanas, though that should be taken in context: this is still a large, powerful fish that demands a serious commitment in terms of space and husbandry. For keepers already drawn to the arowana world, the inscriptus offers something genuinely different in terms of appearance.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Myanmar Arowana
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Myanmar Arowana aggressive?
- The Myanmar Arowana is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Myanmar Arowana eat?
- The Myanmar Arowana is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.