Silver tigerfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silver tigerfish |
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The silver tigerfish, also known as Datnioides polota, is a cool ray-finned fish that belongs to a group called Lobotidae. These fish are often called tripletails or tiger perches. You can find them swimming in the waters of southern Asia and New Guinea.
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What is a Silver Tigerfish?
The silver tigerfish has a unique look! Its dorsal fin (the one on its back) has 12 strong spines and 13 or 14 soft rays. The anal fin (underneath its body) has 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays.
Most silver tigerfish grow to about 18 centimeters (about 7 inches) long, but some can reach up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches)! Their color and patterns can change a lot. They often have up to seven wide, dark stripes going up and down their body. Sometimes, they even have smaller, thinner stripes in between the main ones. The area on their back, just before their dorsal fin, dips inward a bit.
Where Does the Silver Tigerfish Live?
You can find the silver tigerfish in many places across southern Asia. They live from eastern India and Bangladesh, all the way east through countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, and even to New Guinea.
These fish love to live in brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and saltwater. This means you can find them in tidal lagoons and estuaries, where rivers meet the sea. But they also live in freshwater rivers and lakes, far away from the ocean's influence.
What Does the Silver Tigerfish Eat?
The silver tigerfish is a predator, which means it hunts for its food. They enjoy eating other smaller fish, crustaceans (like crabs and shrimp), and the larvae (baby forms) of water insects.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Scientists have studied these fish in places like the Musi River in Sumatra. It seems that silver tigerfish can breed all year round! They don't lay all their eggs at once. Instead, they lay small batches of eggs many times throughout the year. This is called being a "partial spawner."
How Do People Use Silver Tigerfish?
People catch the silver tigerfish to eat. It's considered a food fish in many areas where it lives. Sometimes, you might also see these fish for sale in aquarium shops for people who like to keep exotic fish as pets.
