Skip to content

Search

Popular pages

How to catch Arawana

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum (Cuvier, 1829)

About Arawana fishing

The silver arowana is an elongated freshwater bony fish belonging to the family Osteoglossidae, native to major South American river basins including the Amazon and Essequibo. It features a compressed body covered in large, silvery armor-like scales, a tapered tail with nearly fused dorsal and anal fins, and two distinct barbels on its lower jaw. Operating primarily as a surface benthopelagic predator, it utilizes its superior drawbridge-like mouth to feed on insects, crustaceans, and small fish, and is well known for leaping high out of the water to capture airborne prey. It can adapt to low oxygen levels by utilizing its specialized swim bladder and inhabits both whitewater and blackwater streams as well as flooded forests. Highly regarded by anglers and aquarists alike, it provides an acrobatic and powerful fight on light tackle.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    80 cm

  • Habitat

    Freshwater

  • Also known as

    Aruana, Silver arowana, Silver aruana

Arawana

Pointed caudal shape

Pointed tail fin distinguishes this species from many other bony fishes.

Superior mouth

Upward-pointing mouth opening suits surface-feeding habits of the arowana.

Large cycloid scales

Very large, overlapping cycloid scales armor the elongated body.

Arawana fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    80 cm (max 90 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    4.2 kg (max 6 kg )

  • Longevity

    16 years

  • Body shape

    Elongated

  • Vulnerability score

    31.1

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

How to catch Arawana

Tips for catching Arawana

To target surface-oriented predators successfully, cast shallow-running minnows, soft swimbaits, or small topwater poppers tightly toward overhanging tree lines, submerged structure, and quiet margins where fish patrol just beneath the meniscus. Retrieve lures with erratic twitches or steady, slow sweeps to imitate distressed surface movement or falling terrestrial insects. Early morning and late afternoon provide the optimal light windows for consistent action, as these fish rely heavily on sharp eyesight to spot prey from below. Use medium-heavy baitcasting or spinning gear equipped with a sturdy leader to handle explosive strikes and acrobatic leaps.

Other names for Arawana

Local and alternate names anglers use for Arawana.

  • Arawana
  • Silver aruana
  • Silver arowana
  • Aruana

Best equipment to catch Arawana

Compare fishing methods for Arawana — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 4.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Arawana

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

Where Arawana spends the year — Non-migratory

Stays in the same waters year-round. Look for it on the same grounds rather than timing a run.

Where Arawana spends the year — Non-migratory 1. Eggs: Laid on the home grounds. 2. Juveniles: Grow up close by. 3. Adults: Keep to a small home range. 4. Spawners: Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.
Same water all year

1 Eggs

Same water all year

Laid on the home grounds.

2 Juveniles

Same water all year

Grow up close by.

3 Adults

Same water all year

Keep to a small home range.

4 Spawners

Same water all year

Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Arawana

Prey and predators of Arawana

Prey is what Arawana eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Where Arawana lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Freshwater
Depth zone
Depth not recorded
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Arawana

Mapped fishing spots where Arawana is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

Represa de Tucuruí

Novo RepartimentoParáBrazil