Silver Arowana Tank Mates: Complete Compatibility Guide

Finding the Right Tank Mates for Silver Arowana

Choosing the right silver arowana tank mates comes down to three things: water parameter overlap, temperament match, and adult size gap. Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is a semi-aggressive species native to South America (Amazon Basin) that reaches 36.0 inches in adulthood and needs a 250-gallon minimum tank kept at 75–82°F with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Any fish you're considering as a silver arowana compatible fish must thrive in those same conditions — chronic water stress from a mismatched temperature or pH range is the number-one cause of disease, faded color, and shortened lifespan in community tanks. That is why every pairing on this page is scored against Silver Arowana's specific water envelope rather than a generic "community fish" label.

Silver Arowana is semi-aggressive, meaning it can coexist with many community fish but may become territorial — especially during feeding or breeding. The best silver arowana tank mates are peaceful species large enough not to be bullied, or other semi-aggressive species of comparable size housed in a tank big enough to give each fish its own territory. Avoid long-finned or slow-moving species that may draw nipping, and provide visual barriers (driftwood, dense plants) to break sight lines. Below you'll find every silver arowana compatible fish in the AquaMateCheck database, scored on water overlap, temperament, and predation risk — each linking to a detailed pairwise compatibility page.

Tank Setup for a Silver Arowana Community Aquarium

A successful Silver Arowana community tank starts with size and ends with maintenance. Use a tank at least as large as the most demanding species in the group (250 gallons minimum for Silver Arowana alone, and larger once you add companions). Maintain the temperature inside 75–82°F and the pH inside 6.0–7.5 with a reliable heater and weekly testing. Add hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and live plants like Java fern or Amazon sword — so every fish can claim a retreat. Perform 25% water changes weekly to keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and nitrate below 20 ppm, since two or more species multiply the bioload. Always quarantine new arrivals for 2–4 weeks before introducing them to the display tank to prevent disease outbreaks.

Silver Arowana Quick Specs

🔴 Species to Avoid (16)

These pairings scored RISKY due to water mismatch, aggression, or predation. They are not recommended silver arowana tank mates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can live with Silver Arowana?

26 species are highly compatible (GOOD verdict) with Silver Arowana, including Amano Shrimp, Bala Shark, Bolivian Ram and more. An additional 27 species can coexist with careful management. Always confirm water parameter overlap on the full compatibility page before adding new tank mates.

How many Silver Arowana can I keep in one tank?

Silver Arowana requires a minimum tank size of 250 gallons, kept at 75-82°F with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Size your aquarium for the most demanding species in the community and maintain pristine water quality with weekly 25% water changes.

What should I avoid keeping with Silver Arowana?

Avoid any species with no temperature or pH overlap, aggressive fish that may bully a 36.0-inch semi-aggressive species, and fish large enough to swallow Silver Arowana. Always quarantine new arrivals for 2–4 weeks and verify the compatibility verdict on the pairing page before introducing new fish.

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