Super Red

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: Red phenotype/market designation. Research grade: Directly sampled phenotype. This is not an independent species.

Geographic and historical origin

Western Borneo / Kapuas basin is the documented natural association of red Asian arowana, not the provenance of every farm fish sold as Super Red.

Appearance and diagnostic issues

Prominent red coloration in mature selected fish; maturation, lighting, nutrition and visual grading complicate comparisons.

Genetics and lineage evidence

The 2023 study sampled Super Red as a red phenotype and reported the same broad 2n=50 karyotype as other tested Asian forms. No validated Super Red-only Mendelian allele follows from this.

Sampling and scientific support

Sampled in 2023 cytogenetic work (SR). 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.