Top Arawana Fishing Countries

Arowana, often called "dragon fish" for their elongated bodies and metallic sheen, are freshwater fish native to South America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Africa. Highly prized in the aquarium trade for their beauty and symbolism of luck and prosperity, arowana are especially significant in Asian cultures. The top countries involved in arowana fishing and farming include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, where the Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is both wild-caught (though now heavily regulated due to its endangered status) and extensively bred in aquaculture facilities. In South America, Brazil and Peru are notable for the silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum), which is harvested both for local consumption and export. The fishing industry for arowana is now largely focused on sustainable aquaculture, particularly in Asia, due to conservation concerns, strict international trade regulations (such as CITES), and the high market value of rare color morphs.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.