Can Asian Arowana and Banded Archerfish (Brackish) Live Together?

Asian Arowana is a semi-aggressive species (8/10), while Banded Archerfish (Brackish) is moderately assertive (6/10). This modest difference means Asian Arowana may occasionally assert dominance over Banded Archerfish (Brackish).

Asian Arowana and Banded Archerfish (Brackish) 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.

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

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 26°C and 30°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 28.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Asian Arowana needs 1–12 dGH while Banded Archerfish (Brackish) requires 15–30 dGH.

Crucially, these species require different water types — one needs freshwater while the other requires brackish conditions. This is a hard barrier to keeping them together.

To house Asian Arowana and Banded Archerfish (Brackish) 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), Sand (Sifters), 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.