Gulf saratoga (Scleropages jardinii) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Australian arowana, Jardini arowana, Northern saratoga, Australian bonytongue, Pearl arowana
Family
Osteoglossidae (bonytongues)
Origin
Northern Australia and central-southern New Guinea, in still waters of streams and swamps
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
90 cm
Temperature
24–29°C
pH
6.8–7.5
Hardness
Medium, 8–15 dGH
Minimum tank
1000 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
aggressive
Lifespan
10–20 years years

Care

The gulf saratoga (often sold as the jardini or Australian arowana) is known as the most aggressive arowana in aquariums. It can reach 90–100 cm in the wild, though 50–60 cm is more usual. An absolute minimum for an adult is a 180 × 60 × 60 cm tank (about 650 litres), but bigger is much better: plan for 1,000 litres or more. Water: 24–29 °C, pH 6.8–7.5, 8–15 dGH. Clean, stable water with good filtration. Cover: a heavy, tight-fitting lid is essential, as saratogas are powerful jumpers. Identification: smaller scales than the Asian arowana (32–35 along the lateral line, compared with 21–25), with bronze colouring and a red or pink spot on each scale. Not listed by CITES. Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN (assessed 2019). Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Scleropages-jardinii.html); Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/scleropages-jardinii/). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Surface feeder: in the wild it eats insects, small fish, frogs, crustaceans and some plant material. In aquariums: earthworms, gut-loaded mealworms, waxworms, crickets, prawn, mussel, bloodworm and floating pellets. Feed young fish (under 30 cm) small amounts several times a day; larger fish need one feed a day. No mammal or poultry meat.

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and young. In the wild it spawns before the wet season, when surface water approaches 30 °C. The eggs hatch in 1–2 weeks, and the larvae stay in or near the mother's mouth for another 4–5 weeks, becoming independent at 3.5–4 cm. Rarely bred in aquariums.

Compatibility and tank mates

Predatory and territorial: anything small enough will be eaten, and some individuals will not tolerate any tankmates. Usually kept alone. In very large tanks it can live with robust, large fish that stay lower in the water, such as big catfish and cichlids. Very aggressive towards other arowanas.

Last updated 2 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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