Siamese Tigerfish

Datnioides microlepis

Siamese Tigerfish is a all-zone swimmer. Solitary housing is permitted; group housing needs additional context.

Semi-AggressiveAll-zone swimmerSolitary housing is permitted; group housing needs additional contextIntermediate – Advanced

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Need help with Siamese Tigerfish?

Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.

Quick facts

Adult size: ≤ 19.7" (≤ 50 cm)
Aquarium size: ≥ 98.4" (≥ 250 cm) minimum length
Care level: Intermediate – Advanced
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Swimming zone: All-zone swimmer
Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
pH: 5.5–7.5
GH: 2–15 dGH
Diet: Carnivore
Lifespan: up to 15 years
Group behavior: Solitary housing is permitted; group housing needs additional context

Care requirements

Care level: Intermediate – Advanced.

Lifespan: up to 15 years.

Water parameters

Suitable water: temperature 20–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, GH 2–15 dGH.

Temperament and compatibility

Siamese Tigerfish needs careful companion choice because it can be territorial or semi-aggressive.

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses multiple areas of the aquarium, so leave enough open swimming space for movement and feeding.

Feeding

Use foods that suit a meatier diet and avoid combining it with fish small enough to be treated as food.

Offer suitable fish, prawn, mussel or other aquatic animal foods. Adults need feeding only two or three times weekly; marine salt is unnecessary at every life stage.

Before adding this fish

Plan for an aquarium of ≥ 98.4" (≥ 250 cm) minimum length.
Choose other fish carefully around this temperament.
Solitary housing is permitted; group housing needs additional context.
Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.

Natural habitat and origin

Origin: Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia.

Similar fish profiles

Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.

Blue Botia Yasuhikotakia modesta Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate ≤ 9.8" (≤ 25 cm) 73–82°F (23–28°C) Agassiz’s Apistogramma Apistogramma agassizii Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 3" (≤ 7.5 cm) 72–84°F (22–29°C) Amazon Leaffish Monocirrhus polyacanthus Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 3.9" (≤ 10 cm) 73–84°F (23–29°C) Barca Snakehead Channa barca Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 41.3" (≤ 105 cm) 50–82°F (10–28°C) Barlow’s Apistogramma Apistogramma barlowi Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Intermediate ≤ 2.6" (≤ 6.5 cm) 72–84°F (22–29°C) Black Toraja Goby Mugilogobius hitam Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 1.7" (≤ 4.3 cm) 79–86°F (26–30°C)

FAQ

How large does Siamese Tigerfish get?

Siamese Tigerfish reaches ≤ 19.7" (≤ 50 cm). It needs specialist housing, long-term space, strong filtration, and carefully chosen companions.

What aquarium size does Siamese Tigerfish need?

Use an aquarium of at least ≥ 98.4" (≥ 250 cm) minimum length.

Is Siamese Tigerfish peaceful?

Siamese Tigerfish needs more careful companion choice because the temperament data points toward boundaries, space, or similar-sized fish.

What temperature is suitable for Siamese Tigerfish?

Keep it between 20 to 28 °C.

Should Siamese Tigerfish be kept alone or in a group?

Siamese Tigerfish: Solitary housing is permitted; group housing needs additional context.