Taxonomic identifications and wild populations are distinct from commercial lines. Aquapedia marks uncertainties and never invents pedigrees, awards or collection localities.
Identity and range
Scleropages formosus occurs in southeastern Asian freshwater systems, including Indonesia and Malaysia and historical populations in other mainland countries. Wild localities and captive-bred export origins must not be conflated.
Color and taxonomy
Super Red, Golden Crossback, Red Tail Golden and Green are phenotypes or commercial selections rather than automatically separate species. A 2024 molecular and reproductive study supports treating red, green and golden fish as one species.
Breeding and welfare
Male oral brooding and relatively small clutches of large eggs are documented. Adults are powerful surface swimmers and jumpers. Care and breeding systems require substantial space, secure covers, stable water, appropriate food and regional source-specific parameters.
Conservation and trade
CITES Appendix I protections and special commercial captive-breeding procedures apply. Do not infer that a microchip or a foreign farm certificate by itself authorizes possession/import into another country.
Research sources
Sources support the relevant claims discussed above; unresolved local records remain under review.