The African Arowana is a freshwater fish that belongs to the family Osteoglossomorphs and is considered the most primitive member of that family. These long-bodied fish have shimmery scales and a rounded tail, and their anal and dorsal fins are set far back on their body. Their nose is rounded and used as a shovel to dig up small creatures for ingestion. They can be found in shades of grey, brown, or bronze, and juveniles may have dark stripes running along their body. They are naturally found in African watersheds such as the Nile River, Lake Chad, and Lake Turkana and have been fished for food and harvested for the aquarium trade. Something fascinating about these fish is their air-breathing capabilities, which they use to survive in oxygen-depleted water. The scientific name of the African Arowana is Heterotis niloticus, and they are also known as boneytongues. In adulthood, African Arowanas are consistent in color along their entire body.
