Silver tiger perch
Datnioides polota
Also known as Silver datnoid, Four-barred tigerfish, Indian tiger fish
FreshwaterBrackishFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 79 gal
- 300 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Datnioididae
- Origin
- Widely distributed from India through Southeast Asia to New Guinea, in brackish tidal estuaries and lagoons as well as coastal freshwater rivers.
Overview
This datnoid reaches about 30 cm, so provide a tank of 300 litres or more, ideally with brackish water, a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 and 24 to 28 C. Unlike the pure freshwater tigers, it can be kept as a small group in a large enough tank, which often looks better than a single fish. It is a predator that eats smaller fish but ignores tankmates too large to swallow. Feed meaty foods such as shrimp, prawn, earthworms and the occasional piece of fish, and move juveniles off live feeders onto frozen foods.
In the wild
The silver tiger perch is the most widespread and salt tolerant of the tiger perches, living in tidal estuaries and lagoons as well as coastal rivers. It carries silver sides with dark bars and holds mid-water among wood and structure. It does best in brackish water with a specific gravity around 1.005 to 1.010, in a large tank with driftwood and open space. Strong filtration and clean water keep it healthy.
Good to know
Datnioides polota, formerly known as Datnioides quadrifasciatus, is a tiger perch in the family Datnioididae. It is the hardiest and most euryhaline of the datnoids, moving between fresh and brackish water in the wild. It is more social than its relatives and is often kept in small groups to spread out any aggression.
Did you know
Because it tolerates a wide range of salinity, it is the tiger perch most often seen in the hobby and the easiest of the group to keep.
Common questions
What size tank does a Silver tiger perch need?
A Silver tiger perch needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Silver tiger perch need?
A Silver tiger perch is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
How big does a Silver tiger perch get?
An adult Silver tiger perch reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
Related species
12.6 in (32 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)New Guinea tiger perch
Datnioides campbelli
12.6 in (32 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)
15.7 in (40 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Mekong tiger perch
Datnioides undecimradiatus
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17.7 in (45 cm)185 gal (700 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Siamese tiger perch
Datnioides pulcher
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19.7 in (50 cm)180 gal (680 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)Indonesian tigerfish
Datnioides microlepis
19.7 in (50 cm) · 180 gal (680 L)
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Acestrorhynchus falcatus
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Heros notatus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 58 gal (220 L)