5. All about Arowanas (Part 3)

Have you ever see an Arowana breeding centre?? Well…Lets go to my neighbor country, Indonesia. In Indonesia, they have so many farms that mainly focused on breeding, selling and exporting the Arowanas, thus gaining bountiful of profit from it. Most of these successful tycoon (taukeh) have been registered with CITES. There are too many farms to be introduce. After going through for about…1 minute, I have decided to share these 2 success Arowana farms which I found when surfing the internet. (“I wish I was there to see it for real but…sigh…first thing first…my current job here must be taken care”- Elham). Do you know why they have lots of fish farms here in Indonesia?? Its simple..RESOURCES!!! They have so many live (unpolluted) rivers there. Malaysia also have quite a number of rivers but most of them is dead (polluted) rivers. The government continuously spend millions of Ringgit(RM) to recover the dead rivers here but still there is no sign of improvement. From my opinion, changing the peoples attitude, uphold and tighten the law is the best way to return back the natural resources to its normal state rather than put a large amount of cash to clean up which will tend to be repeated again and again activity. I think, sooner or later people will realize and regret for what they’ve done when it comes to disaster. When the sources of water dries up, its too late already (“I just can’t imagine the situation if it becomes a reality”- Elham). Enough of that…Let’s continue our journey shall we??

Photo 5.21 : The entrance to PT Munjul Prima Utama


The first farm is the PT Munjul Prima Utama. Located in Cibubur, its a 1 hour journey from Jakarta International Airport Sukarno-Hatta. It was found by Mr. Tris Tanoto on 1987 and registered with CITES on the year 1996. Mr. Tris‘s farm was focusing in the business of Arowana for export purpose. Their product was only an upgraded version of Super Red Arowana which have been change to ULTRA RED. They also boldly claimed their fish is what the hobbyist around the world have ever dream of. Their Ultra Red Arowanas were exported to various country around the world including Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore and Korea.


How did the ‘Ultra Red’ terms started?? Here’s the story. The Ultra Red is actually the same as the normal Super Red. Few years back, this farm is actually producing the Super Red Arowana. After some period, the Japanese realize that the Super Red from PT Munjul Prima looks redder than any other manufacturers. Then the Japanese told them to take it as their own trademark. Since their products is more red than Super Red, they decided to name it…Ultra Red.

Photo 5.22 : The super duper high quality Ultra Red. Now... I understand the meaning of the word ULTRA...


On 1996, the owner, Mr. Tris have won the Arowana contest in Jakarta. What makes the fish a winner?? It’s the special features that can be found only on the Ultra Red. The Ultra Red have the brightest color of the blood red on its body, they have thick scales and 90% to 100% of its body is red. To make sure his fish shows great quality to customers, he decided to let the showroom tanks without background and décor (bare tank). With the help of white light or just normal sunshine, the true color of an Ultra Red can be seen.

Photo 5.23 : Another and another Super Red that will transform into an ULTRA soon!!!

Mr. Tris, also prepares his own personal collection special for his customer or any hobbyist who is interested. Its called Mr. Tris Tanoto Special Collection. He also in the process of making his next trademark which is called Hong Hua (Red Flower). The Red Flower have their back fin seems connected with their tail fin.

Photo 5.24 : High quality Ultra Red fries


Among any Arowana farms here in Indonesia, Mr. Tris is one of the person who really put his product’s quality to the max. Because of his passion and love to his own Ultra Red, he also dare to buy back what he have sold before at 80% of the selling price. With DNA identification using microchip, Mr. Tris is able to verify his own product.


Mr. Tris also have his own laboratory for researching new virus threats or disease that may or have struck his products. The research have enabling him to produce various type of medicine or tonic for his fish.

Photo 5.25 : The high quality breeder in a high quality place


The Ultra Red Arowana production from PT Munjul Prima cannot be consider as a high volume production until the quality of the fish is above excellent. If they caught their Arowana with defects, they will just simply give it to their closest relatives or friends for free!!! (“I have just send my home address to Mr. Tris…In case of any defects found on their Arowana, I would be glad to have it…Hehe”- Elham).


Mr. Tris Tanoto own principle, ‘His experience through all this time is Gold, even it have been throw into the thickest most dirtiest mud, the Gold is still a Gold…Precious, useful and not everyone can have it’.



Photo 5.26 : Old showroom is located outdoor

Photo 5.27 : Their new indoor showroom

Photo 5.28 : Their pond equipped with water gates

Photo 5.29 : A large water reservoir, always ready when its needed

Photo 5.30 : PT Munjul Prima Arowana’s Certificate

The next Arowana farm is the Inti Kapuas Arowana Tbk (IIKP). IIKP is one of the biggest Super Red Arowana retailer in the whole word!!! (“unbelievable?? Believe it”- Elham). With the total assets of 400 million…Indonesian Rupiah, IIKP tries to create the ideal specification of Super Red Arowana within an ideal living condition, up to date breeding method and the equivalent natures factor. (“I am actually cannot understand a bit about the natures factor…Does it requires calculations?? I hope not”- Elham).

Photo 5.31 : A large pond inside IIKP


The IIKP is actually have been listed on the board of Bursa Efek Jakarta (Stock Exchange Board) which means, they have to run their business with full responsible, ethics, professionalism, obey and qualify all the international standards. It runs the activities in 5 different locations which is in Kota Pontianak, Parit Baru, Teluk Lerang, Nangaspauk and Penepat. They were using natures resources from Kapuas river and Landak river.

Photo 5.32 : The view of IIKP from a roof of a bus...hehe...

The SheelookRED was the brand from IIKP. SheelookRED is a creation that have been through a tight selection process to make sure the genetic and anatomy quality is optimum. The fish are kept inside a controlled environment with all time monitoring from their own fish specialist. Most of their ponds is now under construction for expansion and renewing facilities condition. To fulfill the increasing local demand for Super Red Arowanas, IIKP have opened 4 branches in Indonesia with the name of ShellokRED Pro-Shop. The location is in Solo and Surabaya. Any moment from now, the IIKP is about to launch their own Super Red Arowana boutique in Jakarta with one-stop shopping concept used, they will give their best selection of Arowana with the proper equipment for fish lovers or hobbyist around the world.

Photo 5.33 : A large-high quality Super Red male from IIKP

Photo 5.34 : Similar condition with their natural habitat improve their Arowana’s quality

Siluk (“Shelook”) or better known as Asian Arowana or Dragon Fish is an endangered species fish native to Asian countries. In general, there are three varieties of arowana based on color: green arowana, golden arowana, and red arowana. And among all, super red arowana is one of the most expensive one.

Another large farm found in Indonesia is this one. I manage to get only the pictures from a friend. I bet he have found it on the internet. However, my friend clamied that no articles or story could be found there.

Photo 5.35 : A photo of a mysterious place in Indonesia which my friend told me it was an Arowana’s farm



Photo 5.36 : Dead Arowana fry…CSI found a bite mark!!!



Photo 5.36 : Maybe this is their showroom or warehouse

Photo 5.37 : Still, the fish farm focusing on the Super Red

That's all for now, till we meet again....