Datnioides pulcher, commonly known as the Siamese tiger fish, Siamese tiger perch, Indonesian tiger fish, gold datnoid, or finescale tigerfish, is a striking freshwater species native to Southeast Asia and the northern Malay Peninsula. This large, predatory fish was originally confined to the Chao Phraya and Mekong river basins in Thailand and Laos. However, it has been introduced to rivers worldwide by human activities, leading to conflicts with local authorities due to its size, predatory nature, and the challenge of removing it once established in new areas due to its wide distribution range.
Datnioides pulcher is an omnivorous freshwater fish belonging to the Cyprinidae family, which includes various other fish species such as carps, minnows, goldfish, and carp. This fish exhibits a stunning gold coloration with distinct lighter black stripes and striking red fins featuring white tips on its dorsal and caudal fins.
Despite their popularity in the aquarium trade, these fish are considered critically endangered in their natural habitat. They have found refuge in the pet industry, where enthusiasts provide them with new homes as their natural habitats face degradation or instability. Their striking yellow and black striped appearance has also led to them being referred to as zebrafish or leopard fish in some instances, rather than Siamese tiger fish.
