Evidence rule: Trade and color designations are not separate species or proven parent–offspring pedigrees. Exact claims must be checked against cited studies and tagged farm records.
Identity and classification
Species: Scleropages formosus. Record kind: Green phenotype/market designation. Research grade: Directly sampled phenotype. This is not an independent species.
Geographic and historical origin
The green family spans multiple Southeast Asian drainages; Malaysia 2021 research found green samples non-monophyletic.
Appearance and diagnostic issues
Green/olive-silver mature body tone; lighting and environment affect documentation photographs.
Genetics and lineage evidence
Green appearance is not a single genetic founding population. Geography and drainage history better explain sampled lineage structure.
Sampling and scientific support
Directly sampled as Asian Green (AG) in 2023 cytogenetics. The 2023 direct comparison of five phenotypes found all sampled forms had 2n=50 chromosomes; it did not prove a unique strain-specific gene for any trade name.
Breeding and authentication
For a particular fish, require a PIT/microchip, lawful source documents, claimed breeder/farm, birth cohort, individual parent IDs or documented cross records where available. No advertised grade or photograph alone proves pedigree or genotype.
Care and conservation
As a large surface-oriented male mouthbrooder, Asian arowana needs species-appropriate secure housing and stable water; protected-wildlife trade and import requirements depend on jurisdiction. Do not solicit precise threatened wild collection sites.