Where Does African Arowana Live?

African Arowana lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find African Arowana

Water type

freshwater

Depth

Typically found in shallow to moderately deep waters, often near the surface.

Environment

Prefers slow-moving or stagnant waters of rivers, lakes, swamps, floodplains, and lagoons. Often found in areas with dense aquatic vegetation, which provides cover and a rich source of planktonic food. Tolerant of low oxygen conditions due to its ability to breathe atmospheric air.

Geographic range

Widespread across tropical Africa, primarily in the Nilo-Sudan region. Found in major river basins including the Nile, Niger, Senegal, Gambia, Volta, Chad, and Congo. Also present in Lake Turkana and other associated water bodies.

Explore African Arowana