Arowana Varieties Explained: Silver, Black, Jardini & Asian Arowana (What's Actually Legal to Own)

Quick answer: Silver, Black, and Jardini (Australian) arowanas are legal to own in most of the U.S., including California, because they're regulated under CITES Appendix II rather than banned outright. The Asian Arowana — the "dragon fish" prized in Asia — is a different story: it remains illegal to import or possess in the United States under the federal Endangered Species Act, no matter what a seller tells you. Below is a breakdown of the four varieties you'll actually run into, what separates them, and where U.S. law currently stands on each — including a 2026 legal challenge that could eventually change the Asian Arowana's status.

The four arowana varieties you'll actually encounter

Nearly every arowana sold or discussed in the U.S. hobby falls into one of four groups: Silver, Black, Jardini (Australian), and Asian. They look related — all are large, long-bodied predators with upturned mouths and oversized scales — but they come from different continents, grow to different sizes, and carry very different legal weight.

Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)

The Silver Arowana is the variety most U.S. keepers start with. Native to the Amazon basin, it's a fast-growing, highly active jumper that reaches 24–36 inches in a home aquarium and needs a tank on the order of 250 gallons or more at full size. Its scales carry a bright chrome sheen, and its dorsal and anal fins trail almost to the tail, giving it the "dragon" silhouette the whole family is named for.

Black Arowana (Osteoglossum ferreirai)

A close South American cousin of the Silver, the Black Arowana starts out dark, almost black, as a juvenile, with pale vertical bars, and gradually develops gold or bronze highlights on its scales as it matures — the "black" name really only fits the fish for its first year or two. It has a similar body plan and care profile to the Silver but is slower-growing and generally commands a higher price because it's less commonly bred.

Jardini / Australian Arowana (Scleropages jardinii and S. leichardti)

Jardini arowanas come from Australia and New Guinea and are often sold interchangeably as "Australian Arowana," but Scleropages jardinii (Jardini) and Scleropages leichardti (Saratoga/Leichardti) are two distinct species that are frequently mislabeled in the trade. The easiest visual tell is scale pattern: Jardini scales carry a bold, reticulated dark-edged pattern that extends further down the body, while Leichardti's pattern is more muted and concentrated toward the tail. Both stay a bit more compact than Silver or Black Arowana, typically 24–30 inches, and are known for a bolder, more inquisitive temperament.

Asian Arowana / "Dragon Fish" (Scleropages formosus)

This is the variety with the mythology — red, golden, and "super red" color forms bred and revered across Southeast Asia, where a single high-grade specimen can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. It's also the one variety in this list you cannot legally buy, import, or keep in the United States (more on that below). If a listing anywhere claims to offer a "Red Dragon" or "Golden Asian Arowana" for sale to a U.S. buyer, that alone is a legal red flag.

Is it legal to own an arowana in the U.S.?

Quick answer: Yes, for Silver, Black, and Jardini/Australian Arowana in the large majority of U.S. states, because all three are CITES Appendix II species — trade is regulated and requires proper paperwork at import, but ownership itself isn't prohibited. Asian Arowana is the exception: it's listed under CITES Appendix I and as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and the ESA listing is the one that actually blocks American hobbyists, regardless of how the fish was bred.

Why Asian Arowana is different

The Asian Arowana has been listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 1976. CITES itself permits regulated international trade in captive-bred Asian Arowana from registered facilities — which is why the fish is legally kept and traded throughout much of Asia and Europe — but the U.S. ESA listing sits on top of that and blocks import and possession domestically, independent of CITES. That's the detail a lot of hobbyist forum threads get backwards: satisfying CITES paperwork doesn't help you if the ESA still lists the species as endangered.

That may be changing. In November 2025, the U.S. Aquatic Trade Association (USAQUA) petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to review the Asian Arowana's ESA status, arguing the blanket ban is outdated given decades of CITES-regulated captive breeding. When USFWS missed its statutory deadline to respond, USAQUA filed a notice of intent to sue in February 2026. As of this writing the ESA listing is still fully in force — Asian Arowana remains illegal to import or possess in the U.S. — but it's a live legal fight worth watching, and we'll update this guide if the status changes.

What about Silver, Black, and Jardini Arowana specifically in California?

All three are sold openly by aquarium retailers in California, including at our own Convoy District and Mid-City locations, which is about as direct a confirmation as exists that the state permits their sale and ownership. That said, exotic-fish regulations vary by state and do change, and a small number of states impose extra restrictions on large predatory or non-native fish species generally. If you're ordering an arowana to ship to a state outside California, it's worth a quick check with that state's fish and wildlife agency before you buy — this guide is accurate as of publication but isn't a substitute for checking current local rules.

Silver vs. Black vs. Jardini vs. Asian: side-by-side

Tank requirements at a glance

Quick answer: Plan for a minimum 6-foot, 180–250+ gallon tank with a tight, weighted lid, since every legal-to-own arowana variety is a powerful jumper that can clear an open-top aquarium in a single startled leap. All four varieties are predatory, grow fast, and are best kept singly or in a large enough system to prevent fin-nipping between tankmates of similar size.

• Tank size: 180 gallons minimum for a juvenile; 250+ gallons for an adult Silver or Black Arowana
• Water: Soft to moderately hard, pH 6.5–7.5, temperature 75–82°F
• Lid: Full, weighted canopy — arowanas are surface feeders and enthusiastic jumpers
• Diet: Meaty, high-protein foods — pellets formulated for large predatory fish, plus occasional feeder insects; avoid a feeder-fish-only diet long term
• Tankmates: Other large, robust, non-nippy species only; young arowanas are vulnerable to fin damage from more aggressive tankmates

Frequently asked questions

Can I legally own an Asian Arowana in the U.S. if it's captive-bred?

No. CITES allows trade in captive-bred Asian Arowana from registered facilities, but the U.S. Endangered Species Act lists the species as Endangered regardless of breeding origin, and the ESA listing is what actually governs U.S. import and possession. A pending industry legal challenge (filed February 2026) is seeking to change this, but as of now the ban remains in effect.

What's the difference between a Jardini and a Leichardti (Saratoga) Arowana?

Both are Australian species often sold under the "Jardini" name, but they're genetically distinct. Jardini (Scleropages jardinii) has a bolder, more reticulated scale pattern extending further up the body; Leichardti/Saratoga (Scleropages leichardti) has a more subdued pattern concentrated near the tail. Ask your retailer which species a specific fish actually is — the two are frequently mislabeled.

How big a tank does an arowana actually need?

Budget for at least 180 gallons for a young fish and 250 gallons or more once it approaches full adult size (24–36 inches, depending on variety). Arowanas are strong swimmers that need length more than height, so a long, low tank footprint works better than a tall one.

Are Silver, Black, or Jardini arowanas legal in California?

Yes — all three are sold by aquarium retailers throughout California, ours included. As with any exotic species, rules can vary by state and do change over time, so it's worth a quick check with your own state's wildlife agency if you're outside California.

Written by Roger Ma, founder of Pet Zone Tropical Fish and Arowana.Co. Roger has spent more than a decade in international aquarium livestock import/export and has been sourcing, importing, and keeping arowana varieties for the San Diego market since founding Pet Zone in 2007. This guide reflects the legal landscape as of publication (2026) and will be updated if the Asian Arowana's federal status changes.