Indonesian tigerfish
Datnioides microlepis
Also known as Indonesian tiger fish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–82°F
- 20–28°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 19.7 in
- 50 cm
- Minimum tank
- 180 gal
- 680 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Datnioididae
- Origin
- Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo
Overview
The Indonesian tigerfish is a solitary ambush predator for a very large tank. It is only for experienced keepers.
Did you know
The Indonesian tigerfish can dial the contrast of its bars up or down, depending on mood and surroundings. It sometimes nearly washes them out, which makes its ambush hiding even better.
Caring for the Indonesian tigerfish
An Indonesian tigerfish needs a huge tank of 180 gal (680 L) or more. Give it lots of cover and plenty of structure to break up sightlines. It hangs in the middle of the water near wood and rock, waiting rather than chasing.
It takes a wide temperature window, from 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. In the wild it eats smaller fish and invertebrates. In the tank, feed meaty foods such as shrimp, crustaceans and fish pieces, and avoid feeder fish for health reasons.
Keep it alone or with large, calm fish that it cannot eat and that will not bully it. Aquarium breeding is essentially unrecorded.
Good to know
The Indonesian tigerfish, Datnioides microlepis, is a member of the family Datnioididae. Its bold black-on-gold vertical bars are its signature, and they help it blend among roots and wood. It is listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and overfishing.
In the wild
The Indonesian tigerfish lives in slow rivers, estuaries and floodplains across Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo, among sunken logs, roots and debris. Some populations live in fresh water, and others in slightly brackish water.
Common questions
What size tank does an Indonesian tigerfish need?
An Indonesian tigerfish needs at least 180 gal (680 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an Indonesian tigerfish need?
An Indonesian tigerfish is comfortable at 68–82°F (20–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
What does an Indonesian tigerfish eat?
An Indonesian tigerfish eats meaty foods such as shrimp, crustaceans and fish pieces. In the wild it takes smaller fish and invertebrates. Avoid feeder fish for health reasons.
How big does an Indonesian tigerfish get?
An adult Indonesian tigerfish reaches about 19.7 in (50 cm).
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