virtually unknown in the West, but it is beloved in Far Eastern cultures. With shining metallic scales, flowing wing-like pectoral fins, and a long flexible body, this freshwater fish bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Chinese dragon. Prized in Asia as aquarium specimens, Asian arowanas are also notable for being endangered, listed on CITES Appendix I. The geological record shows them to be living fossils, virtually unchanged since they appeared about 140 million years ago, during the heydey of the dinosaurs.
Asian arowanas are protected by the CITES treaty's most restrictive controls on international trade. In the U.S., ownership of one of these fish is completely prohibited under the Endangered Species Act (except for public zoos and aquariums, which can obtain permits). The primary threat is habitat loss in its native rainforest blackwater river home, complicated by the fact that there are numerous distinct, isolated populations in a number of countries. A second major factor affecting conservation is illegal collection for the aquarium trade. Considered lucky and good feng shui in East Asian cultures, a single red or gold crossback arowana can command thousands of U.S. dollars.
