Finescale tigerfish (Datnioides microlepis)

Scientific name: Datnioides microlepis Bleeker, 1853

Finescale tigerfish (Datnioides microlepis)

The Finescale tigerfish (Datnioides microlepis) is a freshwater fish of the family Datnioididae that grows to about 38 cm (15 in). It is difficult to keep and semi-aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) and a pH of 7.0–7.5. Native range: Asia, Chao Phraya basin, Mekong basin of mainland Southeast Asia, Kapuas basin in western Borneo and Musi basin in Sumatra.

Finescale tigerfish care at a glance

Care level
Difficult
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Adult size
38 cm (15 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
22–26°C (72–79°F)
pH
7.0–7.5
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts live foods.

Biology

Has the deepest body of any species of Coius, 2.1-2.4 times in SL. Specimens from mainland Southeast Asia invariably with five full bars, specimens from Borneo with 6-7 bars, all usually continued across ventral surface of body. First bar extending uninterrupted and undiminished across opercle and onto thoracic region, and continued across ventral surface of body; a well defined black mark on ventral surface of body immediately anterior to base of pelvic fins (not present in other Coius). Partial bars almost invariably absent. Branched dorsal rays 14-18; branched anal rays 9-11, usually 10.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Datnioides microlepis
Family
Datnioididae (Freshwater tripletails)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
45.0
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Chao Phraya basin, Mekong basin of mainland Southeast Asia, Kapuas basin in western Borneo and Musi basin in Sumatra. Protected in Thailand.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec = 30,000)

More other freshwater fish

See all other freshwater fish

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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