Indonesian Tiger Fish (Datnoid)

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Southeast Asia (Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Borneo, Sumatra). Prefers immense rivers and oxbow lakes with bottoms covered by flooded forests, roots and submerged obstacles.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Indonesian Tiger Fish (Datnioides microlepis). Famous predatory fish for "Monster Tanks". The snout is incredibly extensible into a lethal suction tube. Stocky and formidable body.

Social Behavior: Nocturnal and crepuscular ambush predator. Can be kept either as a solitary specimen or in large schools. In small groups (2-4 specimens), continuous hierarchical skirmishes push it to darken its colors due to stress.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Blinding golden or metallic yellow background, usually divided by 5 to 7 neat vertical black bands similar to those of tigers (variations on the number of stripes insanely influence the market price in Asia). Sexually identical.

Aquarium Setup: Gigantic. Minimum 200 cm (80 inches) in length (tanks of 1000 liters / 260 gallons and over are often used). Colossal filtration, large open spaces alternating with imposing branched trunks where it can camouflage itself (in nature they simulate dead leaves by tilting).

Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous macropredator. Will swallow any fish within range. Great patience is required to wean it onto dead fish (smelt, silversides, fillets). Shelled prawns and mussels are welcome. Infected live food (goldfish feeders) must be avoided.

Water Quality: Extremely sensitive to water quality despite its size. If nitrates increase, the livery becomes "smoke black", fading completely (the "Darkening" phenomenon). Large weekly changes are necessary.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Exclusive fish for giant fish tanks (Monster Fish). Excellent together with large freshwater rays (Stingrays), large Loricariids, Arowanas, or large non-brawling Cichlids. Any fish under 15 cm (6 inches) is a snack.

Aquarium Reproduction: Completely unknown and never documented in home or commercial aquariums due to their size and complex seasonal hormonal triggers of the monsoons.

Risks and Diseases: Profound apathy, anorexia and darkening (the fish becomes gray-black, "stuck on black") if the water is of poor quality or there is incessant bullying by aggressive tankmates.