How can you keep high grade red Aros to make 120% red?

[007]

How can you keep high grade red Aros to make 120% red?

First, I apologized for my poor writing English. The following article may have grammar and spelling mistakes. I just want to share my 10 years experience to people who loves Asian high grade Aros in NZ. This article s only for RED Aros and I will post another one for Gold Crossback.

Recently, I see many people talk about Asian High grade Aros in NZ. I do not want to talk about the price. I would like to talk about how can you keep a high grade aros. Even you have a VIP red, your VIP red will just better than a NO.2 red if you do not know how to keep it.

1. Environment

a. The environment in your tank.

I think many people already knew the dark environment will increase the red color. I would say yes. The red aro is a Chameleon. To keep a good quality red aros, you must put a black wall paper to your tank as background, left side, right side and bottom (optional). You will never see anyone use a white background to keep a red aro if you go Asian or any professional fish farm. Use the environment to attractive the red color is the first step for a new starter.

b. The water color of your tank

Red Aro is originally from Indonesia and the river color is very very dirty. (trust me, it’s not like taupo lake). Use black water and Terminalia water is very good for red aros. Some people put a large wood into the tank to imitate the red dragon’s home original river condition. It’s good but your must be carefully because the large wood will damage the dragon’s body when they has suddenly scare. Sometimes is a scale if you lucky… It’s take over 3 months to recover one scale back to normal red color when the fish is under 2 years old. However, it will be take over 8 month if your aro is a adult…

Personal, I suggest to use a little black water. However, you should get a gold aro if you do not like the dark tank.

c. Light attractive

6 years ago, I used AT red plant light to attractive the red aros. After that, I did try TFC water light, Red Aro Specialist from Yulong International light. Light not only can help red dragon to increase the red color but also could help to increase the area. Yes, to increased the lighting hour will help red color development. Also you will see the different body color of the two side for fish because the light hour is different. TFC water light could help your fish get red in the shortest time. However, as return, this will be increase the change to get drop eye and one side swimming. You must be careful the position for your TFC water light. Here I would like to mention something about drop eye. Many of my friends ask me how to avoid and treat drop eye. The wrong position of TFC water light is one reason of drop eye. The most drop eye is because the light is suddenly turn on whatever is in the tank or outside or the tank. For example, you will close your eye when you suddenly turn on your room light if you have sitting in a dark room for 2 hours. That’s nature reaction. Same as aro, it can not close it’s eye but it can look down to avoid the suddenly strong light. If you do this every day, your aro will be drop eye very soon.

For lighting…my recommend is Red Aro Specialist on top and every day has a fix time set to 8 hours only. This light system designation is perfect, the light will be turn on one by one and from weak light to strong light automatically. Reduce the chance for drop eye.

2. Growing speed and Food

Mix food is an important condition for red aros. Fast growing is not good for color accumulation.(you may get a huge size but no color). Slow growing is not good for the size for the fish.(you may get a good color but your fish will only up to 40cm? like a old man). Suitable feed is a key for color and size. You will get a better color and size if you do control the food. The best food I think is shrimps + centipedes or cockroachs. However, we can not find any centipedes in NZ. Then you can use shrimp with shell as normal food but you must cut the head because you don’t want the shrimp head to hurt your aro. Also try Cricket once per week. Do NOT feed too much crickets to your red aro because they will give up other food. Cricket is good food to help the color but also can kill your aro if you feed too much. I suggest to put a salt water bottle for 10 mins before you feed your dragon.

3. Mix fish?

This topic has been argued again and again. I do not suggest put your red aro with all other big fishes. Your aro and other big fish may be like different PH of water. Also some fishes are very dirty and can bring the heavy work to your filter. (E.g Oscar) Some big fish can attack your aro and I am sure you do not want to see that after you spend $$$$ on your high grade aro. Second, I will ask a question: “why do you like to buy an expensive Asian Aro?” Many people would say : because it’s beautiful! Yes, it is beautiful! In Asian, people likes Aro not only because they are beautiful but also they are a symbol of Dragon. They has a beautiful scale, nice body, lonely personality, royalty to their master(you can touch your aro when they are over 2 years) etc. In Asian, people use aro to setup a Fengshui tank to help their business for life. E.G:

One red aro + seven red parrots--- means Moon (Dragon) with the Plough (parrots)

One Gold Aro + Thailand Tiger + Flagtail + Fly river turtle --- Means Dragon, Tiger, Phoenix and Stone (Japanese style) etc

In New Zealand I suggest Red Aro’s mixed fish partner will be:

Red Parrot and Flagtail (Do not put too many parrots because they will attack your aro if too many!)

In New Zealand I suggest Gold Aro’s mixed fish partner will be:

Thailand Tiger + Flagtail (Do not put over size Borneo tiger with your gold aro because they will attack your aro if too big and they will not stop once they start to attack)

4. Water Condition

a. Tank

What tank do you have? The Min requirement is 150cm L X 65cm W X 60cm H for Red Aro. (PS: 65cm W is Min requirement for red!!!)

150cm L X 55cm W X 60cm H for Gold Aro

b. Filter

The filter system’s size should at least 5 times of your tank size per hour. For example, if your tank size is 400L then your filter system should be at least 1800L to 2000L/ hour. The best choice is to use bottom filter system if you can do. However, you still can use the canister plus top filer to achieve that 5 times.

c. About change water frequency

I suggest change water 20% per week when your aro under 25 cm that can help growing the size. Reduce to 10% every 10 to 14 days when you aro get 35cm. The old water could bring more red color to red aros. (only for red) However, that may bring many bad things if your water is too old.

d. About PH

This is very important. Red aro like the PH 5.3 to 6.8 and 6.4 will be the average. For example your PH is 6.0. That’s ok. The key point is how to keep it as 6.0? Not go up and not go down. Trust me, suddenly change big PH will bring the disaster to your aro! They will lose red color if you are lucky and some of them will go to see god …

Many people asked me how to keep a thin red scale on a VIP red aro. Here I would share something about PH. 80% red aros start to get red with a thin red scale which is very nice. The point is they all will change to thick red scale later (about after 3 years). The key is how can you keep your thin scale and make it longer? If you like a thin red scale and want it longer time, you could keep your PH a little be higher: 6.8

Otherwise keep your PH 5.5 and you can see your aro will develop to thick red very soon. Maybe just 5 months.

Please do NOT keep your PH under 5.0, you will see the scale have some gap…

[A-town...]

awesome write up should be made a sticky thread :bounce:

[myfishybuisness]

wowww thanks this was so helpful now i no that my 2.4 by .7 m will be fine no i will just have to save that amount of money for my vip chill red

[diver21]

great write up! looking forward to the one about gold cross backs

[Fruju]

(you may get a good color but only 40cm? like a old man).

Lol, what does that mean :lol:

[henward]

awesome write up!!

you have experience with Asian aros - good to have your feedback!

I agree, my RTG got full gold only last 4 to 5 months. 2.5 years old.

but patience is key and it does get gold and eat lots so thats ok:D

I think most people in NZ would keep aros not for fengshui though - but what ever floats your boat i say! doesnt matter your reasonf or keeping a fish..... its your own reasons.

good write up none the less!

[henward]

A note however:

The comment that Old water is good for the red colour. I dont neccesarily agree. This is what i hear a myth.

The old water has a tendency to become BROWN.

the brown makes the colour of RED come out more.... it enhances the red.

some say that it actually has no effect on the intensity of the red.

Also many aro owners will have a artificial red light. most animals you see on the net will have artificial light, only when you see the fish under whtie light you can judge hwo red tehy are.

My 1.5 red aro can look very red under some light too.... but it is not red at all.

Black water conditions does calm the arowana too. And KETAPANG LEAF, terminalia catapa also know as - will brownt he water and contains tannins and salts and trace taht keep a healthy scale for many acidic water fish. I use it, i agree, the colour stands out more when the tank water is darker, but i believe this is because its more of an illusion than an actual biological thing thats happening.

Such as background - substrate... all of which i believe merely enhances the colour throguh contracts and illusion given tot he human eye.

I found taht when i put silica white substrate on my rtg tank, the colour did get brighter wtih in a couple months.

Some have told me this is because the light reflects from the sand and also TANS the bottom of the fish.....

Tanning is frequently used to enhance, intensify and increase colour of Red and Gold aros.... I can vouch thsi works, i have tried it also.

Tannins in the water is good to mimic the natural ecosystem in whcih the fish is from - but in saying that, i dont believe there are any studies tos ay that the colour actually changes physically when done - more so that it changes from our perception and contracts to the water.

but, i love the write up!

i just find in asia - there is alot of myth and things when it comes to fish keeping

[Morcs]

5ft tank minimum req? id say 6 minimum, 8 ideal.

[007]

awesome write up!!

you have experience with Asian aros - good to have your feedback!

I agree, my RTG got full gold only last 4 to 5 months. 2.5 years old.

but patience is key and it does get gold and eat lots so thats ok:D

I think most people in NZ would keep aros not for fengshui though - but what ever floats your boat i say! doesnt matter your reasonf or keeping a fish..... its your own reasons.

good write up none the less!

HI Henward, I'm your friend--King. I have see your RTG Video already. I like the size but not the gold...Dont get me wrong, your RTG is still a good fish but can be better. I mentioned your RTG got full gold...but i can not see full gold in your video. A standard Crossback can get gold easliy up to 6th line. A good RTG can get gold up to half 6th, Full gold on 5th line. However, you RTG just get 4th line. The reason i think you already know. Maybe you could try this way to your next RTG: put your RTG to a white backgound with white left and right size tank until 40 cm to make the gold area as higher as it can. Then put your RTG to a black tank to increase the Gold color. You will see different...I can send some RTG's photo which was growing in a white tank first and then put it to a dark tank. It's just a suggention, no offence.

[David R]

5ft tank minimum req? id say 6 minimum, 8 ideal.

Yes and no, depends completely on the other dimensions....

[007]

A note however:

The comment that Old water is good for the red colour. I dont neccesarily agree. This is what i hear a myth.

The old water has a tendency to become BROWN.

the brown makes the colour of RED come out more.... it enhances the red.

some say that it actually has no effect on the intensity of the red.

Also many aro owners will have a artificial red light. most animals you see on the net will have artificial light, only when you see the fish under whtie light you can judge hwo red tehy are.

My 1.5 red aro can look very red under some light too.... but it is not red at all.

Black water conditions does calm the arowana too. And KETAPANG LEAF, terminalia catapa also know as - will brownt he water and contains tannins and salts and trace taht keep a healthy scale for many acidic water fish. I use it, i agree, the colour stands out more when the tank water is darker, but i believe this is because its more of an illusion than an actual biological thing thats happening.

Such as background - substrate... all of which i believe merely enhances the colour throguh contracts and illusion given tot he human eye.

I found taht when i put silica white substrate on my rtg tank, the colour did get brighter wtih in a couple months.

Some have told me this is because the light reflects from the sand and also TANS the bottom of the fish.....

Tanning is frequently used to enhance, intensify and increase colour of Red and Gold aros.... I can vouch thsi works, i have tried it also.

Tannins in the water is good to mimic the natural ecosystem in whcih the fish is from - but in saying that, i dont believe there are any studies tos ay that the colour actually changes physically when done - more so that it changes from our perception and contracts to the water.

but, i love the write up!

i just find in asia - there is alot of myth and things when it comes to fish keeping

Henward, i do not agreed your opinion. You try to keep a F5 red aro in a white tank for 1 year and then compare with your 1.5 red... you will not beliave that is a F5! Also the 10 days changing water period and old water does increase the red color. Mr.Ginando Yuki who is the director of Yukia red Aro Indonisia and Mr.Ye who is the boss of Qianhu fish farm.--Their tank's changing water period is over 10 days. I have chat with them in last year when i visit them.

Asian aro is from Asian, that's why the myth is always from asia. Haha

[henward]

hey king!

no offence taken at all!

yeah, my RTG is a 4th level RTG - by no means it is a 5th or 6th or crossback:)

But the scales up to the 4th level are very full in gold.

Of course i cannot claim that it is as shiny as crossbacks in their full shine! i guess thats the difference, retail RTG $2500 and Retail Crossbacks $6000 lol

When i say 'full gold' i meant the scales which are gold are fully gold, no black or brown centres.

But the 5tha nd 6th level and the top of the fish, nor its head is definitely a ligth brown not gold...... but that is to be expected wtih a RTG isnt it?

[henward]

"Henward, i do not agreed your opinion. You try to keep a F5 red aro in a white tank for 1 year and then compare with your 1.5 red... you will not beliave that is a F5! Also the 10 days changing water period and old water does increase the red color. Mr.Ginando Yuki who is the director of Yukia red Aro Indonisia and Mr.Ye who is the boss of Qianhu fish farm.--Their tank's changing water period is over 10 days. I have chat with them in last year when i visit them.

Asian aro is from Asian, that's why the myth is always from asia. Haha"

I am curious - as to what is the science behind the water not being changed much.

I mean - i am no arowana breeder and cannot claim that i know more than the director of an arowana farm lol

but, Not changing water would mean the Nitrates would build up - what else builds up in a tank with older unchanged water?

Nitrate cannot possibly enhance colour?

I have seen the same fish in a tank with Artificial light and whtie light, and the colour difference is almost double. I have seen blackwater wtih a red aro in it, also enhances the red... but i beleive more from contrast as when you remove the blackwater - the fish is not as red....i guess wtih scientific reasoning i would be convinced lol

I know that fish such as the asian arowana are relatively brightly coloured because of the water they come from - some say that evolution dictated for themt o find each other, they had to be shinier so they can see each other..... this is found in other fish in muddy and dark waters too. Sunlgiht tans and enhances arowana colour, tanning is a principle using a UV spectrum bulb too....

So by putting dark water - prolonged use of Ketapang leaf and darkening the water this could eventually tellt he fish to "get more colour" to be 'seen' better.... i can see how that can work.

Anwyays, i am really interested how not changing water frequently would help colour development. then maybe i can wind down my wc cycles:D

currently my 2x1200Litre has 340L of water over 24 hours cycling out of it. i dropped it down to about 280ish lately to give my plants more nitrate.....

[snookie]

A bit of topic sorry :roll: , but what would be more valuable a spoon head or normal ?

[007]

A bit of topic sorry :roll: , but what would be more valuable a spoon head or normal ?

yes, Spoon Head is only for red and that is better but that is 100% from their blood. The spoon head is nice looking, that's all!

[007]

hey king!

no offence taken at all!

yeah, my RTG is a 4th level RTG - by no means it is a 5th or 6th or crossback:)

But the scales up to the 4th level are very full in gold.

Of course i cannot claim that it is as shiny as crossbacks in their full shine! i guess thats the difference, retail RTG $2500 and Retail Crossbacks $6000 lol

When i say 'full gold' i meant the scales which are gold are fully gold, no black or brown centres.

But the 5tha nd 6th level and the top of the fish, nor its head is definitely a ligth brown not gold...... but that is to be expected wtih a RTG isnt it?

You can keep your RTG with a full 5th gold. I should told you that 2 years ago...

[henward]

haha yeah, you didnt tell me that 2 years ago:D

its ok, i still love that monster.

5th level scales gold would have been cool though.

[henward]

king, do you keep one arowana for yourself?

last time you didnt have one .... i would love to see a fish you have raised yourself from young!!

[007]

king, do you keep one arowana for yourself?

last time you didnt have one .... i would love to see a fish you have raised yourself from young!!

10 years...do you think my 10 years experience for no fish for myself? haha

[evil_elmo]

hi King, phil from christchurch

what light tube do you recommend for above the aro?

i have been using T5 powerglo's is there something that is better suited?

[007]

hi King, phil from christchurch

what light tube do you recommend for above the aro?

i have been using T5 powerglo's is there something that is better suited?

Hi Phil, I see your photos and first i suggest you put your water light a bit down otherwise it's easily to drop eye. Then i suggest put a super white 10000K on top with a your water light. You may knew that is very nice when you turn on your water light but a super white 10000K will help your fish get more red like blood when you turn off all the light in day time.

If you want to change your light: TFC water light and Yulong Red Aro specialist are my suggestion. Yulong is too hard to bring to NZ because it's very easy to damage. I have 1 for red and 1 for gold. I will send you some photo and you will see didferent.

[Fruju]

Do you have any knowledge of enhancing Jardini colour with lights?

[007]

Do you have any knowledge of enhancing Jardini colour with lights?

Sorry, that's not my area. I do not want give you wrong information.

[henward]

hui king

i didnt meant you have NEVER kept fish

i mean right now in nz, do you have one as a pet for yourself?

cos some people sell but dont keep as pets.

i know you have lots of experience lol i just want to knwo if you have one at home right now as a pet, i wanna look see!!!!

i like looking at aros!

[007]

hui king

i didnt meant you have NEVER kept fish

i mean right now in nz, do you have one as a pet for yourself?

cos some people sell but dont keep as pets.

i know you have lots of experience lol i just want to knwo if you have one at home right now as a pet, i wanna look see!!!!

i like looking at aros!

already Pmd