Benjamin L asked:
I’m planning to get a pretty big fish tank… maybe if my parents let me… lol. cause im not an adult like most of you guys may think. anyways. im planning to try to get a fish tank at about maybe…. 200 something gallons or so, and i wanted to get neither 1or 2 silver arowanas, 5-8 blood red parrot fish, and maybe 1 or 2 clown knife fish. any a few algae eaters here and there. would this work out? or should i just get 1 arowana and 1 clown knife fish? give me your opions. thanks for your help. =)
what i meant on the top was future sorry if that confused you. I’m planning to get a pretty big fish tank… maybe if my parents let me… lol. cause im not an adult like most of you guys may think. anyways. im planning to try to get a fish tank at about maybe…. 200 something gallons or so, and i wanted to get neither 1or 2 silver arowanas, 5 through 8 blood red parrot fish, and maybe 1 or 2 clown knife fish. any a few algae eaters here and there. would this work out? or should i just get 1 arowana and 1 clown knife fish? give me your opions. thanks for your help. =)
what i meant to say for the question was future* fish! but i spelled future wrong. sorry if that confused you guys.
ive had quiet a few years of experience, so dont think i havent raise fish before, started when i was in 4th grade.
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Before you get any fish, please read up on fishless cycling, water changes, the personalities and compatibilities of different fish, how to test the water, understanding what overstocking is and only getting as many fish as your tank can healthily handle and about diseases so you will be able to recognize them and properly treat them when they happen. You will have a much easier time of it if you go into this fully educated and won’t lose as many fish. Good luck in your endeavor!
I think you’re really responsible and mature to be thinking this out ahead of time. And such a big tank — I’m jealous! The fish you’re thinking about are probably okay in that big a tank, but to be sure you should do more research than you’re going to be able to pull off on this website.
I recommend going to or another knowledgeable fish hobby forum to learn how to start out right — by cycling the tank, decorating appropriately for the fish you’re planning on, stocking gradually, and learning to do proper water maintenance. There are lots of very experienced people there, probably several who have arowanas and parrots and I know there are plenty of clown, knife and algae eater keepers there.
The more you learn before you start, the more successful you’ll be, and the more you can enjoy your tank rather than be frustrated.
Good luck!
There are tons of things you really need to think about before going through with your plans. First, the cost of a 200+ gallon tank. If you go with a quality filtration system, stand, heater, etc you are talking anywhere from $600 and up, at least. Second, is if you are not an adult and live with your parents, what will happen to such a large tank when you go to college? A tank that size will need a special type of flooring to be supported. Unless it is going on a concrete floor somewhere, you may need to brace your floor. It is not something you can take to an apartment or dorm. Third, arowanas are not a good fish to start out with. They can be a difficult fish to keep. Arowanas do best alone, or in groups of 5-8. If you keep two of them, they will become overly aggresive with each other. They also get quite large, and when full grown can need up to 200 gallons apiece. You have to think of the full grown size of your fish when stocking your tank. The fish you have chosen would be overstocking signifigantly when they are all full grown. My best advice to you would be to start out a little smaller. A 55 gallon tank is a great starter size. You can always upgrade as you become ready. You could keep several parrots and algae eaters in a 55. You could also look into a smaller knife fish such as a ghost knife. Just make sure you take your time and read up on cycling your tank, what pH and hardness you will need for certain fish, what type of filtration is the best for your tank, etc before you start. The key to being a good aquarist is to not rush anything. I know it sounds cliche, but slow and steady wins the race when it comes to fishkeeping. If you have the patience though, it is an amazing hobby to be part of. I hope this helped, and if you have any more questions feel free to email me,, or message me under rlsayers. I would be glad to help you with anything you need. Good luck!!
research your fish. if you are talking algae eater fish they usually only eat algae when they are young and then attack your fish for some tasty slime coat.
i am not an advocate of them at all. i am not an expert but i think you would have to get some pretty large parrots if you wanted to put them with the others. arowanas especially grow really fast and would make a meal of smaller parrots no problem.
If you are going to spend that sort of money, get one with a sump built in. It will help heaps with filtration and you can do without canister filters etc (you can hide heaters etc. in it too, keeping them safe from large fish knocking them etc.). It will also help you changing the water (a large tank can be a pain to take water from the top all the time).
Anyway, arowanas can get up to 36+ (up to 47) long. Clown knifes can be bigger, but normally are smaller in a tank.
This site:
Said you should keep clown knifes on their own or in groups of at least 3. So you might think about not getting them, or getting the one with the arowana (like you said).
Even with a large tank, I’d say both those fish are showfish like having a wet dog in the corner (heh heh, I mean you can’t mix heaps of them together). Pretty cool fish. I’d definately get an arowana if I had the tank and space…they are really cheap in Hong Kong (where I am) if you buy them young (like 6 long) and together in a bag. I wonder how many people have bought what they thought were medium sized fish, to get a shock in a few months. HEh heh.
Oh and IMO parrot fish are ugly compared to the clown knife and arowana. But I know a lot of people like them, so it is up to you.
BTW, if you got one with a sump, you’d be able to (techincally) hold more fish (more water/filtration). However it really depends of the fishes personality.
Oh and the algae eaters might become a target.
You could always get a 250 Gallon (at least) and go for a redtail catfish…hehe heh.
go with a 10 gallon starter tank