arowana
noun
aro·wa·na
ˌa-rə-ˈwä-nə 
ˌer-ə-
variants
or less commonly aruana
or arawana
or arahuana
: any of several large, tropical, chiefly carnivorous freshwater fish (family Osteoglossidae and especially genera Osteoglossum and Scleropages) of South America, southeastern Asia, Australia, and Africa that have large bony scales, a toothed tongue, and a large mouth with an oblique gape
Note: Arowanas have a laterally compressed body and are typically silvery white, gold, red, or green. In the wild, some arowanas may reach a length of four feet (1.2 meters) or longer but are usually smaller when kept as aquarium fish.
called also bonytongue, dragonfish
compare pirarucuExamples of arowana in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But to hunt the elusive arowana fish that can grow up to 4 feet, the Macushi use a bow and arrow, and Ramsay must make his own arrow for the adventure.
—
National Geographic, 20 May 2020
After the ban, a booming black market for arowana emerged.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2018
Though there are now legal methods of breeding and trading, arowana have still been sold for up to $300,000.
—Lilian Min, The Cut, 28 Mar. 2018
The overwhelming demand had a devastating effect on the wild population of arowana.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2018
Asian arowana fish can grow up to three feet long, but these aquarium giants, seen as a status symbol in many East Asian cultures, aren’t exempt from the beauty standards that rule us all.
—Lilian Min, The Cut, 28 Mar. 2018
But the Asian arowana is not your average pet store fish.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2018
The Asian arowana is the world’s most expensive aquarium fish.
—National Geographic, 17 July 2016
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National Geographic, 20 May 2020
After the ban, a booming black market for arowana emerged.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2018
Though there are now legal methods of breeding and trading, arowana have still been sold for up to $300,000.
—Lilian Min, The Cut, 28 Mar. 2018
The overwhelming demand had a devastating effect on the wild population of arowana.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2018
Asian arowana fish can grow up to three feet long, but these aquarium giants, seen as a status symbol in many East Asian cultures, aren’t exempt from the beauty standards that rule us all.
—Lilian Min, The Cut, 28 Mar. 2018
But the Asian arowana is not your average pet store fish.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2018
The Asian arowana is the world’s most expensive aquarium fish.
—National Geographic, 17 July 2016
Dictionary Entries Near arowana
Cite this Entry
“Arowana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arowana. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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