Above: In the picture, is a nice premium quality Indonesian Gold Tiger Datnioides, swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

Comments: These are fabulous looking fish, with unique characteristics.

Origin: These Datnioides are found in Indonesia and are wild fish. But now you can find many living in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums this Datnioides can grow to be about 16" long, and sometimes larger if fed properly and if the water quality is good.

Behaviors: Datnioides are usually semi-aggresive fish. They will of course swallow any fish that will fit into their mouths.

Compatibility: Some recommended tankmates include, any equally sized community fish that won't pick on the Datnioides.

Also non-violent fish are best suited to live with this type of fish.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: This Datnioides live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is best to feed to Datnioides.

Smaller sized pellets when small, and larger sized pellets when the fish are bigger, is the ideal food for these fish.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: They are used to hard alkaline water, but these fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: Datnioides will do fine in an aquarium with at least 50-gallons of water when small, but of course bigger is better. Eventually they'll need a bigger aquarium.

Decor: Datnioides do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, and they need plenty of hiding areas in the plants so they can feel like they are in their natural surroundings.

Seasoned non-toxic Driftwood also looks good and seems to improve the water quality.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 80-gallon aquariums have room along the back for two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of a minimal wild fish set up.

Better is a 120, 150, or 200-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Datnioides can live for several years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they may live even longer lives.

Gender: There are no known reports on how to tell the gender of this fish.

Breeding: There are no known reports of these fish breeding in aquariums, but they may be being bred in large ponds by so-called fish farmers.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: These fish are somewhat popular in the hobby.

Names: The scientific name for Gold Tiger Datnioides is Datnioides microlepis.

Variations: There are some variations of these fish.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Wild Fish, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.