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Animal Guide

Arowana

32 destinations · 22 states

Native Range
Freshwater rivers, floodplains, and wetlands of Southeast Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia

Arowanas are built for watching from the side of an aquarium. Their long bodies glide just beneath the surface, while large metallic scales catch the light whenever the fish turns. The upturned mouth is another clue to how they live. Arowanas often patrol the surface, looking for insects, small fish, and other prey above or near the water. Spend a few minutes watching and you may see one pause almost completely before making a sudden, powerful movement to grab food. Some species are also capable jumpers, using their strong bodies to launch out of the water for prey on low branches or vegetation. Their barbels, sometimes called feelers, extend from the lower jaw and give the fish an unusual profile. Different arowana species vary in color and native range, but that surface-hunting style is a common thread. In a well-designed exhibit, watching an arowana cruise just below the surface can reveal a very different side of freshwater fish behavior.

Arowana

Where to see Arowana

32 destinations across 22 states

32 destinations

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cleveland, OH

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

St Paul, MN

Downtown Aquarium

Houston, TX

East Idaho Aquarium

Idaho Falls, ID

Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den

Scranton, PA

Fort Worth Zoo

Fort Worth, TX

Long Island Aquarium

Riverhead, NY

Louisville Zoo

Louisville, KY

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN

Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee, WI

Moody Gardens

Galveston, TX

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic, CT

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Nashville, TN

National Aquarium

Baltimore, MD

New England Aquarium

Boston, MA

Oklahoma Aquarium

Jenks, OK

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Omaha, NE

One World Interactive Aquarium

Las Vegas, NV

Prospect Park Zoo

Brooklyn, NY

Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, SC

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Gatlinburg, TN

SEA LIFE New Jersey Aquarium

East Rutherford, NJ

SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando, FL

Shedd Aquarium

Chicago, IL

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Washington, DC

Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga, TN

The Dallas World Aquarium

Dallas, TX

VIA Aquarium

Schenectady, NY

Wildlife World Zoo

Litchfield Park, AZ

Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

Springfield, MO

Woodbridge Aquarium & Wildlife Center

Woodbridge, NJ

Zoo Miami

Miami, FL

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