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Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)
24–30°C · pH 6–7.5 · 1500L
£48.99
Australian Bonytongue (Scleropages jardinii), also sold as Jardini Arowana, for advanced keepers with very large covered aquariums and predator-fish experience.
Scleropages jardinii
Australian Bonytongue (Scleropages jardinii), also sold as Jardini Arowana, for advanced keepers with very large covered aquariums and predator-fish experience.
Australian Bonytongue (Scleropages jardinii), often sold as the Jardini Arowana, is a powerful surface predator for very large covered aquariums. It has a deep metallic body, strong jaws and confident feeding behaviour, so it suits advanced keepers planning a long-term display around one large fish rather than a casual community setup.
| Scientific name | Scleropages jardinii |
|---|---|
| Common names | Australian Bonytongue, Jardini Arowana, Northern Saratoga |
| Adult planning size | Often around 60 cm in aquariums, with a heavy predatory build |
| Long-term aquarium | 1000 litres or larger, with length, depth and a heavy secure lid |
| Temperature | 24-30°C |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Care level | Advanced |
| Temperament | Large, territorial surface predator |
This is not a beginner centrepiece and it is not a fish to buy for a short-term grow-out tank without a real upgrade plan. Australian Bonytongues become strong, valuable predators that need stable water, protected tank lids and calm handling. They are best for keepers who already understand large-fish filtration, safe feeding, heavy water changes and how to plan tank mates around a dominant surface fish.
| Good fit | Poor fit |
|---|---|
| Advanced keepers with a very large covered aquarium | Small community aquariums or uncovered tanks |
| Single-specimen predator displays | Nano fish, shrimp or delicate slow feeders |
| Robust filtration and mature water | New tanks with unstable ammonia or nitrite |
Plan the aquarium around length, swimming room and safety. This fish can hit the lid hard, so the cover must be heavy, tight-fitting and checked after maintenance. Keep the layout open through the upper water, with robust decor that cannot scrape the fish if it turns quickly. Strong biological filtration is essential because large carnivores produce heavy waste, especially when eating rich frozen or meaty foods.
| Setup point | Practical target |
|---|---|
| Lid | Heavy, secure and gap-free; jumping risk is high |
| Filtration | Oversized biological filtration with steady oxygenation |
| Decor | Robust roots or smooth hardscape, leaving open surface room |
| Maintenance | Regular large water changes and nitrate control |
Use a quality floating carnivore pellet as the staple, then rotate in prawns, mussel, earthworms, crickets and suitable frozen foods. Avoid feeder fish; they can introduce disease, encourage poor feeding habits and are rarely a balanced diet. Young fish may need smaller floating foods at first, while larger specimens can be conditioned onto prepared foods with patience.
| Food type | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Floating predator pellets | Staple | Best daily base once accepted |
| Prawn, mussel, earthworm | Rotation food | Feed controlled portions only |
| Crickets or safe insects | Behavioural enrichment | Useful for surface-feeding response |
| Feeder fish | Avoid | Disease and nutrition risk |
Many Australian Bonytongues are best kept as the main specimen. If tank mates are attempted, choose robust fish too large to swallow and avoid anything that nips fins or damages barbels. Large plecos, large catfish and some robust cichlids may work in carefully planned systems, but individual temperament matters. Do not mix this fish with small tetras, livebearers, shrimp, delicate gouramis or nervous community fish.
Do not judge long-term suitability by the size shipped today. A small Jardini Arowana still needs a credible adult plan, a secure lid and enough budget for large-fish filtration, food and water changes.
This listing can include more than one size option when supplier stock allows, so check the selected variant before checkout. Livestock is packed carefully and sent by licensed live-animal courier where live-animal shipping applies. Follow the receiving and acclimation instructions to keep the Live Arrival Guarantee valid. New customers can use WELCOME10 when the order is eligible, but the main decision here should be whether your aquarium is already suitable for a large predator.
| Before ordering | Check |
|---|---|
| Tank lid | No gaps around cables, corners or feeding holes |
| Tank size | Long-term adult housing planned, not only a temporary grow-out |
| Food | Floating predator pellets and varied meaty foods ready |
| Tank mates | No small fish or delicate species in the same aquarium |
Compare other surface and predator species such as Silver Arowana, Silver Albino Arowana, Blue Arowana, Saddled Bichir, Reedfish / Ropefish and Freshwater Butterflyfish. For feeding support, see Tropical Cichlid & Arowana Large Sticks.
| Is Australian Bonytongue the same fish as the Jardini trade name? | Yes. Scleropages jardinii is widely sold as Australian Bonytongue, Jardini Arowana or Northern Saratoga. |
|---|---|
| Is this fish suitable for beginners? | No. It is an advanced large predator for keepers with a secure, mature, very large aquarium. |
| Can it live with small community fish? | No. Small fish are likely to be eaten, and delicate tank mates can be stressed or injured. |
| Why is a lid so important? | Arowana-type fish are powerful jumpers. A loose or gappy lid is one of the biggest husbandry risks. |
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