In the wild Arowanas are found in quiet water. Adults are mostly carnivorous and feed on other species of fish and large insects, while juveniles feed on small insects.
There are 2 genera and about 5 species worldwide. Two species of Osteoglossum genus are found in South America; Osteoglossum bicirrhosum (Silver Arowana) and Osteoglossum ferreirai (Black Arowana). The other 3 species of Scleopages genus are found in Southeast Asia and Australia; Scleropages formosus (Asian Bonytongue), Scleropages jardinii (Australian Bonytongue) and Scleropages leichardti (Southern Saratoga). And possibly a fourth Scleopages species, Scleropages inscriptus from Tananthayi or Tenasserim River basin in Myanmar.