New Guinea Datnoid / NGT (Datnioides campbelli) CareSheet

The New Guinea Datnoid, sometimes known as the New Guinea Tigerfish (NGT), is a big predatory perch that may be found in brackish and fresh streams in Indonesia's West Papua Province and Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Fly River and its tributaries. They live in a range of habitats in the wild, but are most often found in warm, slow-moving sections of rivers or lakes with overhanging plants. They are an ambush predator that hangs still in the water, waiting for smaller fish or crustaceans to swim past. They use rapid reflexes and a massive protruding mouth to essentially devour prey items. They demand well-oxygenated water in the aquarium and are sensitive to water quality, so frequent water changes are necessary to keep them healthy. They can survive in brackish water, but they don't need it to grow. Tankmates should be carefully selected since they may consume rather big fish, and other more aggressive or energetic fish will likely stress them out, causing their distinctive bar pattern to disappear.



Origin: Wild Indonesia

Locale: West Papua Diet: Predator and live fish eater. Can be weaned onto frozen fish and shrimp over time.
Adult Size: 15"+
Recommended Tank Size: 120 gallon
Compatibility: A predator but generally peaceful towards fish too large to be eaten. May bully similar looking tankmates
Preferred Water Parameters
pH: 6.8 - 7.5
Temp: 76-82F
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 30ppm