Siamese Tigerfish

Datnioides pulcher

Gold with five bold black bars that let it vanish among sunken branches. Almost gone from the wild, so captive-bred fish are treasured.

A predatory freshwater fish that grows to 40 cm, lives in the middle of the tank and needs 24–29 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and an aquarium of at least 500 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

24–29 °C (75–84 °F)

pH

6.5–7.5

Adult size

40 cm (16 in)

Aquarium

500 L or bigger (132 US gal)

Temperament

Predator

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Middle

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Chao Phraya & Mekong rivers (critically endangered)

Good to know

• Shy. Stressed without plants, rocks or caves to hide in.

Tank mates

Good company: Asian Arowana, Bala Shark, Black Ghost Knifefish, Bristlenose Pleco, Clown Loach, Discus, Motoro Stingray, Mystery Snail, Nerite Snail, Ornate Bichir.

Will eat: Amano Shrimp, Angelfish, Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Congo Tetra and 40 more.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey, Pea Puffer.

Eats the newborn fry of: Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Bristlenose Pleco, Comet Goldfish, Discus, Fancy Goldfish, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Oscar.

Colours

• Classic legendary

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.