Silver tiger perch
Datnioides polota
Also known as Silver datnoid, Four-barred tigerfish
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
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Widely distributed from India through Southeast Asia to New Guinea, in brackish tidal estuaries and lagoons as well as coastal freshwater rivers.
- Family
- Datnioididae
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.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Silver tiger perch?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Mekong tiger perch
Datnioides undecimradiatus15.7 in (40 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Siamese tiger perch
Datnioides pulcher17.7 in (45 cm)185 gal (700 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Indonesian tigerfish
Datnioides microlepis19.7 in (50 cm)180 gal (680 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
African knifefish
Xenomystus nigri11.8 in (30 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Red tail barracuda
Acestrorhynchus falcatus11.8 in (30 cm)100 gal (380 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Spotted scat
Scatophagus argus11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)