Can African Arowana and Honduran Red Point Live Together?

Possible with Caution

Keeping African Arowana and Honduran Red Point together is possible but requires caution, though some care is needed. Provide a spacious tank of at least 1500 litres with plenty of hiding spots to reduce stress. Monitor behaviour closely, especially during the first few weeks.


At a Glance

African Arowana

Heterotis niloticus

Honduran Red Point

Amatitlania sp. 'Honduran Red Point'

🐠Family Group
African Arowana
Oddballs
Honduran Red Point
Cichlids - Central American
Temperament
African Arowana
Mostly Peaceful (4/10)
Honduran Red Point
Semi-Aggressive (6/10)
Temperature
βœ“ Compatible
African Arowana
24–30Β°C
Honduran Red Point
23–28Β°C
pH Range
βœ“ Compatible
African Arowana
6.5–8
Honduran Red Point
7–8.5
Hardness (dGH)
βœ“ Compatible
African Arowana
5–15
Honduran Red Point
8–20
Water Type
βœ“ Compatible
African Arowana
Freshwater Only
Honduran Red Point
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
βœ“ Compatible
African Arowana
Moderate
Honduran Red Point
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 1500 L
African Arowana
1500 L
Honduran Red Point
75 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 2 zones
African Arowana
MiddleBottom
Honduran Red Point
MiddleBottom
🏷️Behavior Tags
African Arowana
Digger (Disturbs Substrate)Jumper (Lid Required)Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerShy / Slow Moving (Easily Stressed)
Honduran Red Point
Digger (Disturbs Substrate)Territorial (Defends specific area)Fry PredatorAggressive to same species/look-alikes
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle African Arowana and Honduran Red Point?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

African Arowana
Honduran Red Point
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

African Arowana is a generally mild-mannered species (4/10), while Honduran Red Point is moderately assertive (6/10). This modest difference means Honduran Red Point may occasionally assert dominance over African Arowana.

African Arowana and Honduran Red Point both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Worth noting: African Arowana is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: Provide a significantly larger tank (at least 50% more volume than the minimum) to allow both African Arowana and Honduran Red Point to establish separate territories. Add plenty of line-of-sight breaks using driftwood, rocks, and dense planting to reduce territorial confrontations.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24Β°C and 28Β°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0Β°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7 and 8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 8–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house African Arowana and Honduran Red Point together, plan for an aquarium of at least 1500 litres with a minimum length of 250 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots β€” caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters β€” so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can African Arowana and Honduran Red Point live together?

They can coexist, but the pairing requires careful monitoring. Provide ample space (at least 1500 litres), plenty of hiding spots, and watch for signs of stress or aggression.

What size tank do African Arowana and Honduran Red Point need?

A minimum of 1500 litres (tank length at least 250 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for African Arowana and Honduran Red Point together?

Keep the aquarium between 24Β°C and 28Β°C. A target of around 26.0Β°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are African Arowana or Honduran Red Point aggressive?

African Arowana is generally mild-mannered (4/10) and Honduran Red Point is moderately assertive (6/10). Their similar temperaments generally lead to a peaceful coexistence.

What pH do African Arowana and Honduran Red Point need?

Both species overlap in the 7–8 pH range. Consistency is key β€” avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.

How do I manage Honduran Red Point's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives Honduran Red Point space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding dΓ©cor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.


Related Comparisons

African Arowana & Black Ghost Knifefish

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Arowana: PeacefulBlack Ghost Knifefish: Peaceful

African Arowana & Indonesian Datnoid (Tiger Fish)

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Arowana: PeacefulIndonesian Datnoid (Tiger Fish): Peaceful

African Arowana & Peter's Elephantnose Fish

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Arowana: PeacefulPeter's Elephantnose Fish: Peaceful

African Arowana & African Knifefish

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Arowana: PeacefulAfrican Knifefish: Peaceful

African Arowana & Antennae Stingray

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Arowana: PeacefulAntennae Stingray: Peaceful

African Arowana & Fire Eel

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Arowana: PeacefulFire Eel: Peaceful

Honduran Red Point & Blood Parrot Cichlid

Β·

Possible with Caution
Honduran Red Point: PeacefulBlood Parrot Cichlid: Peaceful

Honduran Red Point & Blue Sifter

Β·

Possible with Caution
Honduran Red Point: PeacefulBlue Sifter: Peaceful

Honduran Red Point & Convict Cichlid

Β·

Possible with Caution
Honduran Red Point: PeacefulConvict Cichlid: Peaceful

Honduran Red Point & Cutteri Cichlid

Β·

Possible with Caution
Honduran Red Point: PeacefulCutteri Cichlid: Peaceful

Honduran Red Point & Firemouth Cichlid

Β·

Possible with Caution
Honduran Red Point: PeacefulFiremouth Cichlid: Peaceful

Honduran Red Point & Jack Dempsey

Β·

Possible with Caution
Honduran Red Point: PeacefulJack Dempsey: Peaceful