Visual Inspection
Scales must be flat and aligned in even rows. Raised, curling, or asymmetric scales indicate prior injury or disease.
Both eyes must be level and forward-facing. Drop eye, if present at purchase, will not reverse — and is a major price-deduction signal.
Body should be symmetric from above and side view. Bent spine, asymmetric jaw, or crooked tail indicates poor early growth conditions.
Fin Condition
Fins must be fully extended, no tears, no white edges (bacterial). Folded fins indicate stress or illness.
Barbels (the two whisker-like extensions on the lower jaw) must be present, straight, and equal length. Missing or broken barbels never grow back fully.
Swimming Pattern
Watch the fish for 5+ minutes. Healthy arowanas swim smoothly in straight lines, occasionally hovering near the surface.
Warning signs: rapid darting (stress), wobbling (swim bladder), rubbing on glass or substrate (parasites), sitting on the bottom (very sick).
Color
Color should be vivid and uniform across the body. Dull or patchy coloration suggests poor diet, stress, or genetic weakness.
For young Asian arowanas, full red or gold color may not be developed yet — but the fish should already show hints of the target color along the gill plate and scales.
Paperwork (Asian Arowanas Only)
CITES export permit must accompany the fish. Microchip ID must match the certificate. Verify the chip with a scanner before leaving the shop.
Without paperwork, the fish is illegal in most of Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Penalties include confiscation and fines up to $50,000.
Source
Buy only from established breeders or licensed importers. Asian arowanas: Indonesian farms (Henlong, Xian Leng) are the gold standard for genetics.
Avoid: street vendors, fish market floor sales, anyone unwilling to show paperwork or breeding records.