Myths and Legends about the Dragon

in Chinese culture, the Asian Arowana (Scleropages Formosus) or better known as the ‘Dragon Fish’ resemble the mythical and mighty dragon that symbolizes good luck, wealth, prosperity, strength and power.

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Popularity of the Dragon

The keeping of dragon fish started as early in the 1970’s in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia and gained quickly its popularity during the 1980’s.

As the Asian Arowana is being one of the most expensive and most sought after fish, it has been regarded as one of the Kings in Aquatic World. This interest then spread to many countries like Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan in spite of the fish being listed as an endangered and protected species and prohibited from trade worldwide by the Convention in Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).

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Due to the high demand and low supply from nature sources, the Asian Arowana was once closed to extinction. Hence, only permitted countries were allowed to trade in the endangered species as they were strictly controlled internationally.

However in August 1984, Singapore had successfully obtained the approval from CITES to breed this fish in captivity in Singapore

On 30 November 1986, Singapore officially became a signatory to the Convention and the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is the authority responsible for the implementation of CITES for worldwide trade.