Pet Care Home

Gold Datnoid

Gold Tiger Datnoid ~ Siamese Tiger Fish<br /> Finescale Tigerfish

Family: DatnioididaeGold Datnoid - Gold Tiger Datnoid - Siamese Tiger Fish - Finescale TigerfishDatnioides microlepisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs
Latest Reader Comment - See More
I was thinking that where could I find the most cheap Datnoid.Yesterday,when I visited a nearby market,and in the market there is a place where thy sell aquarium... (more)  samiran roy,india

   The Gold Datnoid has been a standard in the aquarium industry for decades and one look at a healthy, large specimen will tell you why!

   Even though the price remains relatively high, the popularity of the Gold Datnoid endures. This beautiful fish would be a great addition to any large tank containing relatively non-aggressive, predatory fish 

   The Gold Datnoid is known by quite a number of equally descriptive names, from Gold Tiger Datnoid, Siamese Tiger Fish, Finescale Tigerfish, Yellow Tiger Fish, to the Black Barred Tiger Fish. As a general rule, the number of bars on the fish will tell you its approximate origin. Fish collected from mainland Southeast Asia usually have 5 full bars and ones collected from Borneo or Sumatra usually have 6 to 7 full bars.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium


Pet Supply Comparison Shopping
Geographic Distribution
Datnioides microlepis
Data provided by FishBase.org
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Actinopterygii
  • Order: Perciformes
  • Family: Datnioididae

Distribution:    The Gold Datnoid was described by Bleeker in 1853. It is found on the Southeast mainland of Asia and Western Borneo, inhabiting large bodies of waters such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. It dwells among submerged trees and roots feeding on crabs, worms, and insect larvae.

Status:    The Gold Datnoid is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:    The Gold Datnoid is a deep bodied fish with a sharply slanted forehead. It has a golden toned body with black vertical bars. They are usually full bars extending across the entire body. Depending upon the geographic location, they can have between 5 and 7 bars.

Size - Weight:    These fish can get up to at least 18 inches (45 cm).

Care and feeding:    The Gold Datnoid are carnivores. They are a predator and their main diet consists of smaller fish although they can sometimes be coaxed into eating shrimp, worms or insects. One look at their large mouth will tell you that small tank mates will disappear quickly. They are not aggressive towards other species but will attempt to eat any fish that will fit into their mouth.
   A Gold Datnoid will require a large aquarium. A 60 gallon tank would house small to medium fish but if you plan on growing this fish to adult size, an aquarium in excess of 100 gallons will eventually be needed. It is suggested that they be provided with places for retreat such as rocks and caves, or driftwood. Floating plants can offer a sense of seclusion and also help to provide subdued lighting. Considering this as a brackish water species is a common mistake. There are species of Datniodes that live in brackish water but the Gold Datnoid is not one of them.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:    The Gold Datnoid will swim in all parts of the aquarium although when first purchased, yours will probably hide near the bottom until it gets accustomed to its new home.

Acceptable Water Conditions: Hardness and pH are not critical but the following have been suggested:
   Hardness: medium hard
   Ph: neutral to slightly alkaline 7.0 - 7.5 is fine
   Temp: 72-79 F (22 – 26°C}

Social Behaviors:    They are non-aggressive towards other species but will sometimes quarrel among themselves. They will also attempt to eat any fish that will fit into their mouth. Unless your tank is huge, plan on keeping only one Gold Datnoid. If you want to keep more, you will need a very large aquarium and it is suggested to keep several (5 or more has been suggested to disperse any aggressive behavior).They are quite long lived and have a life span of 10 years or longer.

Sexual Differences:    Sexual differences are unknown.

Breeding/Reproduction:    The Gold Datnoid have never spawned in a home aquarium. It is now being bred commercially in Indonesia. However the method used is, for now, a secret.

Availability:    The Gold Datnoid is commonly available but may be relatively hard to find due to its high price. A special order may be required to get one.

Author: Ken Childs
Edited by Animal-World


Lastest Comments on Gold Datnoid

samiran roy,india - 2011-12-16
I was thinking that where could I find the most cheap Datnoid.Yesterday,when I visited a nearby market,and in the market there is a place where thy sell aquarium fishes at cheap rate.I decided to have a look in there and I saw a pair of datnoids. I then asked the seller that how much was the just for the sake of curiosity. They were about 3 inches long. The seller said they were 300rs for a pair. I then bought the two fishes and I have identified them as gold datnoids. I have heard that datnoids go at very high rates,but this is the most cheapest datnoid I have ever seen.

Reply
Val Durio - 2011-06-23
I have been into dats since the early 80's. I raised 2 in a 240 gal. plexiglass tank to what I think was max. I lost them due to a mistake of adding a friends peacok bass which was sick. Over the years I've had different kinds of dats but not the true 4 wide bar Indos. I recently found 4 true Indos which I traded everything in my 125 gal glass show tank. It's fun watching them during feeding. I can't wait till they get large. I feed them only frozen foods, blood worms, brian shrimp and when they get larger, silversides.

Click For Replies (4)
  • Laura Exercise\r\n - 2011-08-16
    This is exactly what im searching for, much appreciated!
  • lori - 2011-09-02
    What area are you in? I am trying to find a good home for my 8 inch gold tiger day
    It's got perfect bars. I am asking $120 obo
  • Val - 2011-09-30
    I'm in the bay area near Sacramento. I recently picked up two more gold tigers. there all about 3.5 to 4 inches now they are growing faster than I expected. I took all the gravel out and they are starting to show there true colors. they really like frozen krill. Sorry I cant put any more fish in the tank. one thing I have to consider is as they get larger they eat more and that means more $$$$$$
  • Alex Burleson - 2011-09-30
    While that is an upsetting loss, the new Indos you have now must surely be, an exciting addition to your home! Feeding fish such as Datnoids can be a very exciting experience as well!
Reply
David.J.Harrison - 2010-10-26
Hi, I have just got a Datnioides quadrifasciatus in my brackish tank, I was hoping to get one of these but I have been getting different opinions on whether this type is brackish or not, can this be clarified?

Click For Replies (1)
  • Val - 2011-07-06
    Gold Dats aren't neccessarily brackish. They'll survive in a brackish tank but it's not manditory.
Reply
rgonzales - 2011-04-23
There is some misinformation regarding the indo datnoid on your site. There is no known captive breeding of this fish, which is one reason prices stay high and explains why wide bars datnoids are all but extinct. Instability of a datnoids color is not a sign of poor health or sickness. They just do that. Also a minimum recommended tanksize for datnoids would be 180 gallons. When keeping datnoids it is best to keep 1 or a group of 5 or more to disperse aggression.

Click For Replies (3)
  • Charlie Roche - 2011-04-25
    Thank you for letting us know. We will look into that obviously and correct as necessary.
  • Clarice Brough - 2011-04-25
    Thanks for you input on this beautiful fish. Nice additional info regarding changes in coloration, and the suggested tank size for an adult. For people that wish more than one specimen, we've added your suggestion of keeping them in a group of 5 or more to disperse aggression. On breeding, that sounds like an open question. The author, with several decades experience in the import business and many close connections with breeders in Indonesia, briefly discusses commercial breeding happening there. It will be interesting to see if, and how, this unfolds in the industry! Thanks again for your thoughts!
  • Val Durio - 2011-06-23
    I found that their color varied depending on dominance. If there was a threat or a larger fish they darken if they are the larger fish they show true color.
Reply
bernard Uy - 2010-11-08
Is there a way that they can grow faster? Or any tips so they grow faster?

Click For Replies (3)
  • J.T.Y. - 2010-12-23
    Don't feed them goldfish, or any other feeders from the carp family as they
    contain chemicals that inhibit growth.
  • rgonzales - 2011-04-27
    The best way to increase growth rates is frequent large water changes and a big tank. In addition feeders help the rate but this is something I don't like to do. Even with the tips given your still only looking at a half to 3/4 inch growth per month.
  • Val Durio - 2011-06-23
    They grow slow. Enjoy them at each stage of growth, 6 months at a time I saw increases in size.
Reply
marie - 2010-10-13
Can gold darnoid live with betta and bata shrike?

Click For Replies (2)
  • evan - 2011-06-18
    Your beta will get eaten when the tiger gets bigger.
  • Val Durio - 2011-06-23
    NO! They will out grow then eat any fish that will fit in their extra large when extended mouths.
Reply

Click to see more Perches and Perch-like Fishes
Back to Perches and Perch-like Fishes

Connect with us on Facebook Watch us on YouTube Follow us on Twitter

Click to see Royal Python - Boris
Royal Python - Boris
by Lucylemonpip
Click to see Bearded Dragons
Bearded Dragons
by taylor

 
After installing a newsreader, click on this icon to download Animal-World XML/RSS feed.After installing a newsreader, click on this icon to download Animal-World XML/RSS feed.

International Index Pages
[French] [German] [Japanese] [Portuguese] [Spanish] [Russian] [Simplified Chinese] [Traditional Chinese]


Copyright © [Animal-World] 1998-2011. All rights reserved.
Using cached version