Sumatra Indo Tiger

fish description – Indonesian Tiger Perch Care Guide ($Datnioides\ microlepis$)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Datnioides\ microlepis$
Common Name	Indo Tiger Fish, Finescale Tigerfish, Indonesian Tiger Perch
Origin	Large lowland rivers and flooded forests (Indonesia – Sumatra, Borneo, and mainland Southeast Asia)
Adult Size	12–18 inches (30–45 cm) (Can exceed 20 inches in ideal conditions)
Temperament	Predatory, Semi-aggressive, Territorial, Solitary as adults
Lifespan	10–15+ years
Care Level	Advanced (due to size, waste, and diet)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A robust, high-backed, deep-bodied fish with a sharply slanted forehead, giving it a leaf-like silhouette. The body is light yellow/gold with 6–7 wide, dark black vertical bars that extend across the body and under the belly.
• Coloration: Golden to yellowish-grey background with bold black stripes. The stripe nearest the head often runs unbroken over the operculum. Coloration may fade or darken depending on mood, stress, and background color. Sexing is difficult; mature females may be fuller-bodied.
• Fins: Proportional, typically clear.
• Behavior: An intelligent ambush predator that spends much time hovering motionless in mid-water. Juveniles may shoal, but adults are generally solitary and territorial, especially toward their own kind. Notorious jumpers; require a tight-fitting lid.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons (680 liters) is the absolute minimum for a single adult. 250 gallons or larger is recommended for long-term health and to house robust tank mates. The tank must be long and wide.
• Schooling: Best kept singly or in a large group of 5 or more to disperse aggression (requires 300+ gallons for a large group). Smaller groups often result in conflict.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $75^\circ$–$84^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$29^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (stability is key).
• pH Level: Neutral to slightly acidic: 6.5 to 7.5. Requires powerful filtration (canister or sump systems) and regular, large water changes (30–40% weekly) to manage the substantial bioload from a carnivorous diet. Water flow should be moderate.
• Aquascape: Requires a dark, bare bottom or soft sand substrate (for easy cleaning). Decorate with large, securely anchored driftwood and rockwork to provide cover for lurking and to break up line of sight.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Indonesian Tiger Perch is a strict carnivore/piscivore.

• Staple Diet: Should be fed a protein-rich diet. Offer high-quality sinking carnivore pellets/sticks as the base (training them to accept these is vital).
• Supplementation: Feed frozen meaty foods regularly: Chopped Prawns (Shrimp), Krill, Fish Fillet strips, and Earthworms. Juveniles may require live food initially but should be weaned onto frozen for safety.
• Schedule: Juveniles should be fed daily. Adults should be fed once daily or every other day, ensuring all food is consumed immediately.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Will eat any fish it can fit in its mouth and may show aggression toward similar-looking fish. Best tank mates must be too large to be eaten (at least half the size of the Datnoid) and similarly robust.
• Good Tank Mates: Large, semi-aggressive fish. Examples include Arowanas, Bichirs (large species), Large Catfish (Plecos, Synodontis), Large Silver Dollars, and robust Cichlids (Oscars, Severums).