Feeding silver arowanas directly with river fish is not recommended due to the presence of bacteria. If you must feed them river fish, it's crucial to disinfect the fish first, then rinse them thoroughly before offering them to your arowana. This will significantly improve safety for your prized fish.
It’s generally best to avoid feeding silver arowanas fish directly from the river. River water is often contaminated, and even if the fish appear clean, they can harbor invisible bacteria and parasites. These pathogens can cause digestive issues and illnesses in your arowana. If you choose to feed river fish, proper disinfection is essential.
Methods for Disinfecting River Fish
You can disinfect river fish by soaking them in a salt bath for about 30 minutes or a potassium permanganate solution for 5 minutes. This helps to minimize the risk of infection. While potassium permanganate is effective at killing bacteria, it can also be harmful to arowanas if used for too long, as it can damage their scales. After disinfection, rinse the fish thoroughly in clean water to remove any residual potassium permanganate before feeding them to your arowana. Keep in mind, disinfecting fish, even those purchased, is always good practice, to prevent intestinal problems in your arowana.
Avoid feeding freshly caught river fish to your arowana immediately. It is best to keep them in clean, well-aerated water for a few days to allow them to purge any contaminants from their system. Change the water frequently during this period. Before feeding, remove their internal organs, which are high in fat and can negatively affect your arowana's health. While arowanas prefer live food, it’s best to avoid feeding live river fish. Instead, freeze them for a period and then thaw them before feeding. Freezing may affect the texture, but it is a much safer option.
Ultimately, the goal is to provide your silver arowana with a safe and healthy diet. Avoid overfeeding and offer smaller meals more frequently, as this aids digestion. Ensure a varied diet to provide the arowana with all the necessary nutrients for optimal health and growth.