Siamese Tigerfish (Datnioides microlepis)
The Siamese Tiger Fish is a large, beautiful, deep-bodied aquarium fish. This fish is an excellent addition to any large tank containing relatively non-aggressive, predatory fish.
Siamese Tiger Fish are not aggressive towards other species but will sometimes fight among themselves. They will also try to eat any fish that will fit into their mouth. Unless your tank is enormous, only keep one Siamese Tiger Fish. If you would like to keep more, you will need a giant aquarium, and it is suggested to own several. A group setting five or more is required to disperse any aggressive behaviour.
The Siamese Tiger Fish is not recommended for beginner aquarists as they are a large predatory fish. Even though they are relatively peaceful with similar types of fish, they need a large aquarium to live in, and these fish require pristine water conditions. They can also be challenging to feed. These fish can take an incredible amount of space and pose great financial responsibility.
The Siamese Tiger Fish has a sharply slanted forehead and golden-yellow and black vertical bars running across the entire length of its body. Depending on their original location, they can have between 5 and 7 bars. The dorsal fin has a spiny appearance.
Photos
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Datnioides microlepis |
| Other Names | Indonesian Tiger Fish, Finescale Tigerfish, Gold Tiger Datnoid, Yellow Tiger Fish, Black Barred Tiger Fish |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Perciformes |
| Family | Datnioididae |
| Genus | Datnioides |
| Origins | Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand |
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Aquarium Level | All Levels |
| Difficulty | Intermediate - Advanced |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Loners |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | up to 15 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 5 - 20 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 72 - 79℉ 22.2 - 26.1℃ | |
Feeding
Because the Siamese Tigerfish is a carnivore; it would be best if you aimed to feed your fish on a diet primarily of meaty foodstuffs such as live and/or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, lobster eggs, cyclops, Mysis shrimp and bloodworm. Bloodworm should be used sparingly as it is hard for your fish to digest.
You can also cut up earthworms from your garden or chop up shop brought mussels, prawns, krill and fresh fish (be sure only to use fresh or frozen fish and not fish canned in oil).
You can also try your fish with dried foods formulated for predatory fish and made up of insect material such as Fluval bug bites, which can also be used to supplement the diet.
Get to know your fish and test which foods they prefere and which they ignore but always be sure not to overfeed your fish and remove excessive uneaten food whenever possible.
Sexual Dimorphism
Unfortunately, the sexual differences between the Siamese Tiger Fish are unknown.