Can Asian Arowana and Australian Smelt Live Together?

Asian Arowana is a semi-aggressive species (8/10), while Australian Smelt is peaceful (1/10). This notable difference means Asian Arowana may occasionally assert dominance over Australian Smelt.

Large aggression gap (7 points) between Asian Arowana and Australian Smelt increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Asian Arowana and Australian Smelt both frequent the Top (Surface) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

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

There is no temperature overlap between Asian Arowana (26–30°C) and Australian Smelt (15–24°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Asian Arowana and Australian Smelt together, plan for an aquarium of at least 1000 litres with a minimum length of 240 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Plants - lighly covered. 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.