New Guinea tiger perch
Datnioides campbelli
Also known as New Guinea tiger datnoid, Campbell's tigerfish
FreshwaterBrackishFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F
- 24–29°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 12.6 in
- 32 cm
- Minimum tank
- 159 gal
- 600 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Datnioididae
- Origin
- Southern New Guinea rivers and estuaries
Overview
The New Guinea tiger perch is a slow, deliberate predator that cruises the middle of a large tank. Keeping it takes a little experience.
Did you know
The New Guinea tiger perch is the least often seen of all the tiger perches. A single import can be talked about among datnoid keepers for a long time. It is also the only member of the group from New Guinea, which adds to its scarcity.
Caring for the New Guinea tiger perch
A New Guinea tiger perch needs a large tank of 159 gal (600 L) or more as an adult. It is naturally shy, so decorate the tank well with driftwood and roots to shelter among. It produces a lot of waste, so strong external filtration is essential.
It tolerates a little salt but does not need it, so hard, slightly alkaline fresh water is fine. Keep the water warm, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Feed meaty foods such as river shrimp, prawn and chunks of fish.
Keep it singly or with large, robust tank mates it cannot swallow. Treat any companion with caution, since anything small enough to fit in its mouth is food. Breeding is of moderate difficulty and seldom recorded, as these large predators are challenging to spawn in aquariums.
Good to know
The New Guinea tiger perch, Datnioides campbelli, belongs to Datnioididae, the tiger perches or datnoids. It is a gold-bodied fish crossed by bold dark bars.
In the wild
The New Guinea tiger perch lives in the rivers and tidal estuaries of southern New Guinea. It is often found in the brackish lower reaches, but also well upstream in pure fresh water.
Common questions
What size tank does a New Guinea tiger perch need?
A New Guinea tiger perch needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a New Guinea tiger perch need?
A New Guinea tiger perch is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a New Guinea tiger perch eat?
A New Guinea tiger perch eats meaty foods such as river shrimp, prawn and chunks of fish. Anything small enough to fit in its mouth is food to it.
How big does a New Guinea tiger perch get?
An adult New Guinea tiger perch reaches about 12.6 in (32 cm).
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