Siamese tiger perch
Datnioides pulcher
Also known as Siamese tigerfish, Tiger datnoid, Wide-bar datnoid
FreshwaterBrackishFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 17.7 in
- 45 cm
- Minimum tank
- 185 gal
- 700 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
- Native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, in slow rivers, floodplains and flooded forest.
Overview
The Siamese tiger perch is a slow-growing predator for a very large tank. It is for experienced keepers only.
Did you know
The Siamese tiger perch is one of the most sought-after and costly aquarium fish in Asia. Its protected status means legally traded specimens are almost always captive raised.
Caring for the Siamese tiger perch
An adult Siamese tiger perch needs a tank of 185 gal (700 L) or more, with tall driftwood, some cover and open water. Give it heavy filtration to handle its waste, plus regular water changes.
Keep the water clean, fresh or very lightly brackish, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed meaty foods such as shrimp, earthworms and fish flesh, and wean it off live feeders onto frozen and prepared foods.
It is a predator rather than a brawler. It ignores fish too large to swallow but will eat anything small, so keep it alone or with large, robust tank mates.
Good to know
The Siamese tiger perch, Datnioides pulcher, belongs to the family Datnioididae and is prized for its bold, wide black and gold bars. It is critically endangered and legally protected in its home range. Its wild populations have collapsed from habitat loss, pollution and overfishing. True examples are often confused with related datnoids.
In the wild
The Siamese tiger perch comes from the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It lives in slow stretches of large rivers, floodplains and flooded forest, hanging among sunken wood and roots. It holds midwater at a slight nose-down angle.
Common questions
What size tank does a Siamese tiger perch need?
A Siamese tiger perch needs at least 185 gal (700 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Siamese tiger perch need?
A Siamese tiger perch is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
What does a Siamese tiger perch eat?
A Siamese tiger perch eats meaty foods such as shrimp, earthworms and fish flesh. Wean it off live feeders onto frozen and prepared foods.
How big does a Siamese tiger perch get?
An adult Siamese tiger perch reaches about 17.7 in (45 cm).
Related species
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