08/10/2026
🚨 AROWANA EMERGENCY — IT WAS PERFECTLY FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE. WHAT WENT WRONG?
We received an emergency call from one of our customers seeking help. His Arowana was perfectly fine the night before, but by the following day, something had gone terribly wrong.
Instead of jumping straight into medication or invasive treatment, our first priority was to fact-find, understand what had happened, and identify the possible causes.
After speaking with the customer, we established two important details:
1. It had been raining heavily the night before.
2. A 25% water change had been carried out.
Could these two factors have contributed to the emergency?
💧 WATER CHANGES — SOMETHING EVERY AROWANA KEEPER SHOULD UNDERSTAND
At Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm, we generally withhold food for approximately 24 hours before a planned water change.
Why?
Arowanas are predominantly surface swimmers, and like many other fishes, they are naturally attracted to the incoming flow of fresh water.
However, sudden changes in water temperature, pH and other water parameters can place considerable stress on a fish.
A 25% water change may sound perfectly reasonable, but remember that it is not just about how much water you change. It is also about how different the incoming water is from the water already in your aquarium.
A sudden temperature difference, pH fluctuation or inadequately treated tap water can potentially create serious problems.
🐟 SWIMMING ABNORMALLY, LOSING BALANCE OR STRUGGLING TO STAY UPRIGHT?
One possibility we consider is a buoyancy disorder.
Arowanas may gulp air at the surface, and abnormal gas accumulation or swim bladder dysfunction can sometimes affect their ability to maintain balance.
Many hobbyists refer to such conditions as a “swollen gall bladder”, but the gall bladder and swim bladder are two different organs. A buoyancy problem cannot be diagnosed simply by observing the fish’s swimming posture.
Our approach is to avoid rushing into invasive procedures such as puncturing the swim bladder without a proper diagnosis.
Depending on the fish’s condition, temporarily lowering the water level may reduce the effort needed to maintain its position. We also prioritise strong aeration and adequate dissolved oxygen, using an oxygen supply and diffuser where appropriate.
Recovery may take several days, depending on the underlying cause. Unfortunately, some cases can be fatal.
⚠️ WHAT ELSE DO WE LOOK OUT FOR?
We investigate several possible causes before deciding on the next course of action.
1. Temperature and pH shock
We compare the aquarium’s existing water parameters against those of the replacement water. Our priority is stability, not making sudden additional adjustments that could worsen the situation.
2. Chlorine or chloramine exposure
We examine the gills, breathing pattern, mucus production and slime coat for signs of irritation or chemical injury.
In this particular case, the observations did not strongly suggest chlorine-related injury, although water testing would be necessary to rule it out.
3. Accidental ingestion of insects
After heavy rain, flying ants and other insects may appear around aquariums.
Arowanas are opportunistic feeders and may consume insects that land on the water surface.
We therefore also considered whether the fish might have ingested flying ants. However, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that flying ants cause severe acid reflux in Arowanas or that this was responsible for the emergency.
❤️ OUR ADVICE TO ALL AROWANA HOBBYISTS
Prevention is always better than cure.
* Withhold feeding for around 24 hours before a planned water change where appropriate.
* Avoid sudden changes in temperature and pH.
* Always use a suitable water conditioner to neutralise chlorine and chloramine.
* Introduce replacement water gradually and safely.
* Ensure adequate aeration and oxygen levels.
* Observe your fish closely before and after maintenance.
* If your Arowana suddenly loses balance, struggles to breathe or cannot swim normally, seek urgent professional aquatic veterinary assistance.
Most importantly, never assume that every abnormal swimming condition is a swim bladder problem.
At Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm, our responsibility does not end when a fish leaves our premises.
We believe in educating our customers, sharing our experience and helping fellow hobbyists understand the importance of responsible fishkeeping.
Arowana keeping is not simply about owning a beautiful fish. It is about understanding its behaviour, its environment and the responsibility that comes with caring for it.
Because every life matters, and experience means knowing when to act — and when not to make things worse.
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🚨 龙鱼紧急状况——前一晚还好好的，为什么隔天突然出问题？
我们接到一位客户的紧急求助电话。他的龙鱼前一天晚上还完全正常，隔天却突然出现严重异常。
面对这种情况，我们不会马上建议下药或进行侵入性治疗，而是先了解事情的经过，收集相关资料，再分析可能的原因。
经过沟通，我们发现两个重要细节：
1. 前一晚下过大雨。
2. 鱼缸进行了约25%的换水。
这两个因素是否可能与突发状况有关？
💧 换水不只是换多少，更重要的是水质是否稳定。
在皇宫龙鱼繁殖场，我们一般会建议在计划换水前约24小时暂停喂食。
龙鱼属于主要在水面活动的鱼类，许多鱼也会自然地游向新水的入水口。
但鱼类对突然的水温、pH值及其他水质参数变化可能十分敏感。
即使只是更换25%的水，如果新水与原缸水的温度或水质差异过大，也可能造成严重压力。
🐟 龙鱼失去平衡、游姿异常，是否就是鱼鳔问题？
其中一种可能性是浮力调节出现异常。
龙鱼有时会在水面吞入空气，而异常气体积聚或鱼鳔功能障碍，都可能影响鱼的平衡。
有些鱼友会把这种情况称为“胆囊肿胀”，但实际上胆囊与鱼鳔是两个不同的器官，不能单凭游姿就判断问题所在。
我们不建议在没有明确诊断的情况下，贸然刺穿鱼鳔排气，因为这可能造成伤口、感染及进一步伤害。
根据鱼只情况，适当降低水位有时能减轻鱼只维持姿势的负担。同时必须确保水中有足够的溶解氧，必要时可使用氧气设备及气泡扩散器。
恢复过程可能需要数天，也有一些严重个案最终无法挽救。
⚠️ 我们还会检查什么？
1. 水温及pH值突变
比较原缸水与新水的参数，避免继续大幅调整水质。
2. 氯气或氯胺刺激
观察鱼鳃、呼吸速度、体表黏液及保护黏膜是否出现异常。
在这次个案中，我们观察到的情况并不明显符合氯伤害，但仍需通过水质检测进一步确认。
3. 是否误食飞蚁或其他昆虫
大雨过后，飞蚁可能大量出现，而龙鱼有机会捕食掉落水面的昆虫。
这也是我们调查的其中一个方向。不过，目前没有充分证据证明飞蚁会直接造成龙鱼严重胃酸倒流，因此不能随意把它当成病因。
❤️ 给所有龙鱼爱好者的建议
换水前做好准备，确保新旧水质差异不会太大，正确使用除氯剂，并维持充足的氧气。
换水前后仔细观察鱼只的活动与呼吸状况。
如果龙鱼突然失去平衡、呼吸困难或无法正常游动，应尽快寻求专业水生动物兽医的协助。
养龙鱼，不只是欣赏它的美，更重要的是了解它的习性、水质需求，以及照顾生命的责任。
在皇宫龙鱼繁殖场，我们的责任不会随着龙鱼离开鱼场而结束。
我们希望通过分享经验与知识，让更多鱼友学习如何正确饲养和照顾龙鱼。
因为每一条生命都值得我们认真对待。
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Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm Pte Ltd
皇宫龙鱼繁殖场
Farm Licence: AF24055
CITES Registration: A-SG-529
📍 2G Neo Tiew Lane 1, Plot 25, Malaysian Feedmill, Singapore 719095
📍 Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/msT6xwAs6vgT5LFs5?g_st=ic
Viewing strictly by appointment only.
参观鱼场敬请提前预约。
Specialising in selective breeding, DNA profiling, pedigree preservation, sustainability and traceability.
专注于选择性繁殖、DNA基因档案、血统保存、可持续发展及来源追溯。
Educational and appreciation purposes only. Not a sales listing.
#皇宫龙鱼繁殖场
