Can Arowana Live With Betta Fish?
No, arowanas are 24-36 inch apex predators that will eat bettas the moment they surface to breathe air.
Why
- Arowanas reach 24-36 inches and need a 250-gallon minimum tank as adults.
- They are surface-hunting apex predators with a documented appetite for fish that fit in their mouths.
- Bettas are surface breathers that spend time at the exact level an arowana hunts.
- A betta is exactly the right size and behavior type to trigger an arowana feeding response.
What could go wrong
The arowana jumps or lunges at the surface and swallows the betta during a feeding response, which happens within seconds.
If you keep them in separate tanks
Sized for the 250 gallon minimum this pairing needs. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them.
Fluval 307 Performance Canister Filter
Oversized filtration is what lets you stock two species together without water quality crashing. Rated for a tank slightly larger than the 250 gallon minimum.
Eheim Jager 300W Thermostat Heater
Holds a steady temperature inside the 76-82°F window both species need.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
Keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in check. Two-species tanks have more bioload and less margin for error than single-species setups.
Better pairings to consider
Arowanas need very large tanks with other large cichlids or catfish. Bettas need species tanks or peaceful communities of small non-aggressive fish.
Related compatibility questions
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