The Siamese tigerfish (Datnioides pulcher) is a critically endangered Asian fish native to the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong and Mekong basins. It has vertical yellow and black stripes running the length of its body. The number of stripes varies depending on region of origin. The dorsal fin has a spiny appearance.
The many species within Datnioides are quite commonly confused. Datnioides pulcher is the Siamese tigerfish, or wide-bar datnoid. Datnioides microlepis is the Indonesian tiger datnoid. Datnioides polota is the silver datnoid.
In the aquarium
It prefers a pH of 7.6â€"8.0, and a temperature of 22â€"26 °C (72â€"79 °F). The Siamese tigerfish is predatory and will eat smaller fish, various live foods, and frozen foods. Many hobbyists pellet-train their datnoids to reduce the risk of disease and parasites from live food. Wild Siamese tigerfish grow to 24 in (61 cm). Captive ones are generally smaller, though may still require a large aquarium, since some Siamese tigerfish have been grown to 16 in or more in length.
Conservation status
D. pulcher is protected in Thailand, and is on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered.
See also
- List of brackish aquarium fish species
- Brackish-water aquarium
References
