A highly prized, large predatory fish native to the coastal and estuarine waters of New Guinea. Characterized by striking black and gold vertical banding and a deep, compressed body. They are strict piscivores with a massive mouth, capable of eating surprisingly large tank mates. While often kept in freshwater, they are highly tolerant of brackish conditions and often thrive better with some salinity.
New Guinea Tigerfish At a Glance
New Guinea Tigerfish Tank Requirements
Will New Guinea Tigerfish fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what New Guinea Tigerfish needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test New Guinea Tigerfish against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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New Guinea Tigerfish Water Parameters
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New Guinea Tigerfish Temperament & Compatibility
New Guinea Tigerfish Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Adult (Standard)
The fully grown adult form. Requires a massive aquarium with extreme filtration to handle the bioload of a large piscivore. Any fish that can fit in its mouth will be eaten. Datnoids are highly aggressive towards their own kind; keep them strictly solitary or in groups of 5+ to disperse aggression.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Full Grown NGT, Adult Datnoid
Juvenile (Grow-out)
Typical commercial sale size. While they can be kept in smaller aquariums temporarily, they require pristine water quality to prevent stunted growth. Even as juveniles, they will enthusiastically consume small fish.
Differs in 6 traits from base species
Also known as: Baby NGT, Cub, Juvenile Tigerfish
New Guinea Tigerfish Care Guide Summary
The New Guinea Tigerfish, scientifically known as Datnioides campbelli, belongs to the Oddballs family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 35 cm and have a compressed body shape with a slow growth rate. Classified as aggressive, this species primarily occupies the mid-level and bottom zones of the aquarium and produces a extreme level of biological waste.
To thrive, the New Guinea Tigerfish requires a brackish tolerant aquarium with a minimum volume of 600 litres and a tank length of at least 180 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 24°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 7–8.5 and a general hardness of 10–25 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Due to its specialist needs, the New Guinea Tigerfish is best suited for fishkeepers who can provide a carefully planned setup. This species is available in 2 varieties: Adult (Standard) and Juvenile (Grow-out). Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
New Guinea Tigerfish Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the New Guinea Tigerfish, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the mid-level and bottom zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement and sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include a sand substrate to accommodate their sifting behaviour and driftwood, which can serve as both a hiding place and a dietary supplement.
New Guinea Tigerfish Compatibility Notes
Classified as aggressive, the New Guinea Tigerfish is adaptable and can be kept singly or in a small group, offering flexibility when planning a community tank. When choosing tankmates, any fish small enough to fit in its mouth will likely be eaten, conspecific aggression can be intense, especially in smaller tanks, territorial behaviour may cause issues if hiding spots or floor space are limited, and boisterous or fast-moving tankmates may cause this species undue stress. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the mid-level and bottom zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
New Guinea Tigerfish Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for New Guinea Tigerfish.
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Frequently Asked Questions About New Guinea Tigerfish
How big does New Guinea Tigerfish get?
New Guinea Tigerfish (Datnioides campbelli) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 35 cm. They have a compressed body shape and a slow growth rate.
What tank size does New Guinea Tigerfish need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 600 litres and a tank length of at least 180 cm are recommended for New Guinea Tigerfish. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does New Guinea Tigerfish need?
New Guinea Tigerfish thrives in brackish tolerant conditions with a temperature range of 24–28°C, a pH between 7 and 8.5, and a general hardness of 10–25 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is New Guinea Tigerfish peaceful or aggressive?
New Guinea Tigerfish is classified as aggressive with an aggression score of 7 out of 10. Careful tankmate selection is essential to avoid conflict.
Can New Guinea Tigerfish live alone?
Yes, New Guinea Tigerfish can be kept singly or in a group. They are flexible and adapt well to both setups.
Does New Guinea Tigerfish have any special tank requirements?
Yes. New Guinea Tigerfish benefits from driftwood (digestion/hiding) and sand (sifters) in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Plants That Suit New Guinea Tigerfish
These plants pair well with New Guinea Tigerfish based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
African Onion Plant
Crinum calamistratum
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus amazonicus
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Baby Tears
Lindernia rotundifolia
Fish Similar to New Guinea Tigerfish
Indonesian Datnoid (Tiger Fish)
Datnioides microlepis
A massive, deep-bodied ambush predator highly prized by monster fish keepers for its striking black and gold 'tiger' stripes. Native to the freshwater rivers of Southeast Asia, they possess huge mouths and will consume any fish small enough to fit. They are notoriously shy when young but grow into bold, impressive centerpieces. Due to intense conspecific aggression, they should be kept entirely solitary or in groups of 4 or more to disperse bullying.
Australian Pearl Arowana
Scleropages jardinii
A massive, highly aggressive predatory fish native to Australia and New Guinea. Known for its distinct metallic, pearl-like scales and upward-facing mouth designed for surface feeding. It is notoriously territorial and intolerant of tank mates, making it a popular 'wet pet' for solitary setups. It is an absolute tank buster requiring a massive aquarium with a heavy, tightly secured lid to prevent fatal jumping.
New Guinea Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia affinis
An active, schooling species native to the streams of northern New Guinea. Known for their striking lateral stripe and vibrant fin coloration that flashes during morning displays. They are peaceful but highly energetic, requiring ample open swimming space and highly oxygenated water to thrive.
Freshwater Shark (Wallago)
Wallago attu
An apex predator native to South and Southeast Asia, infamous for its immense size, huge mouth, and voracious predatory nature. It will consume any tank mate that fits into its capacious mouth and is known to bite aggressively when handled. This species is utterly unsuitable for standard home aquariums and requires an enormous custom pond or public aquarium setup.
Barred Rainbowfish
Chilatherina fasciata
A robust, active, and highly colorful schooling fish native to the clear, fast-flowing streams of New Guinea. They are named for the distinctive vertical black bars on their lower flanks. As highly active swimmers that do best in hard, alkaline water, they require a spacious, long aquarium (minimum 4 feet) with strong oxygenation and plenty of open swimming space.
Bulolo Rainbowfish
Chilatherina bulolo
A rare and highly active rainbowfish native to the fast-flowing mountain streams and white-water rapids of the Markham and Ramu river systems in Papua New Guinea. They possess a silvery body with a distinct black streak on the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin. Because of their specialized natural habitat, they require highly oxygenated, fast-flowing water and alkaline conditions to thrive in an aquarium.