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: Golden phenotype/market designation. Research grade: Literature-mentioned trade designation. This is not an independent species.
Geographic and historical origin
Commercial Malaysian-golden line association; a supplier's true origin and pedigree require tags and verified farm lineage.
Appearance and diagnostic issues
Blue/steel-toned scale base combined with golden edging can vary with age and lighting.
Genetics and lineage evidence
There is no validated simple blue-base allele or universal Blue Base × Golden ratio in the reviewed science.
Sampling and scientific support
Blue-based golden is cited as a Malaysian-golden trading subtype but was not individually karyotyped. 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.