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: Directly sampled phenotype. This is not an independent species.
Geographic and historical origin
The Malaysian-golden/Perak historical association concerns wild golden forms, not every modern specimen's captive-farm origin.
Appearance and diagnostic issues
Gold scale development across the upper back is a common commercial evaluation trait; true stability and family inheritance need documented families.
Genetics and lineage evidence
The study found no exclusive chromosome-level species distinction for Golden Crossback. Crossback grade and genotype are not equivalent.
Sampling and scientific support
Directly sampled as Gold Crossback (GC), one of five cytogenetic categories. 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.