What Is Cross-Stripe
The cross-stripe is a diagonal line of gold pigment running across the lower 3-4 scale rows, from behind the gill to the tail root.
Present in red, gold crossback, and some super red arowana. Rare in silver or black arowana.
Development Stages
Juvenile (under 25cm): cross-stripe barely visible or thin pink line. Sub-adult (25-45cm): clear band forms, usually light gold.
Adult (45cm+): thick gold band if well-cared. Can be up to 3 scales wide in show-grade fish.
Enhancement Factors
Red/pink LED lighting, astaxanthin-rich diet (shrimp, pellets), and low-stress environment all boost cross-stripe intensity.
Poor water quality, stress, or cheap diet = faded or broken cross-stripe over months.
Judging Weight
In Asian arowana shows, cross-stripe accounts for 10-15% of total score. Symmetric and bold = full points.
Broken or uneven stripes reduce score even if rest of the fish is perfect.