Albino Chocolate Crossbelly Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)

Albino Chocolate Crossbelly Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)

The Albino Chocolate Crossbelly Silver Arowana is an extremely rare and high-end variant of Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, combining multiple desirable traits into one truly elite predator. This strain features the luminous white-to-golden body and red eyes of albino genetics, overlaid with the rich, earthy undertones of the “chocolate” line and the distinctive crossbelly scale patterning.

The crossbelly trait enhances the depth and texture of the fish’s scales, creating a more pronounced, almost armored appearance along the lower body. When paired with the soft contrast of albino coloration and subtle chocolate shading, the result is a uniquely layered look that shifts under different lighting conditions.

Like all Silver Arowanas, this variant is a powerful, surface-dwelling predator known for its intelligence, responsiveness, and signature jumping behavior. It quickly becomes the focal point of any large aquarium.

Care & Husbandry

Tank Size:
A minimum of 180 gallons is required for juveniles, with 250–300+ gallons strongly recommended for adults. Long, wide tanks with secure, tight-fitting lids are essential due to their jumping ability.

Diet:
Carnivorous with a strong feeding response:

• High-quality carnivore pellets (best as a staple once trained)
• Frozen foods such as shrimp, silversides, and fish fillets
• Live foods (insects like crickets, mealworms, roaches; occasional feeder fish)
• Earthworms and other invertebrates for variety

Avoid relying heavily on feeder fish to reduce disease risk.

Tank Mates:
Only compatible with large, robust species:

• Compatible: Large cichlids (oscars), datnoids, bichirs, stingrays, large catfish
• Use Caution: Other arowanas (territorial), similarly sized predators
• Avoid: Small fish (will be eaten), aggressive or fin-nipping species

Tank mates must be too large to be considered prey.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 75–82°F
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• Strong filtration and frequent water changes are critical due to high bioload

This is truly one of the more sought-after Arowana's in the fish hobby!