Coius campbelli
Common Names: New Guinea Tigerfish, Blackfaced Tigerfish, & Green Tiger.
Family: Datnioididae, now --> Coiidae
Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Max. size: 12.5 inches, although relatively slow-growing
Environment: freshwater & brackish water
Climate: tropical
Distribution: Gazetteer Asia and Oceania: restricted to the Gulf of Papua drainages and coastal waters of New Guinea.
Description: Vertebrae: 24. Has fewer gill rakers than any other Coius. Scales in lateral series 42-43, in transverse series 8-12/1/18-20. First gill arch with 15-17 rakers (vs. 18-21 in C. microlepis and 20-23 in C. quadrifasciatus). Vertebrae 11=13 (vs. 10=14 in all other Coius. Branched anal fin rays usually 10; branched dorsal rays 14-15 (Ref. 10425).
Biology: Occurs in brackish river mouths, coastal lagoons and rivers above tidal influence.
Temperament: semi-aggressive, more aggressive towards same or similar species.
Water paramenters: Prefers clean water, pH 7.0-8.0, temperature 76-82 degrees F. This datnoid species prefers light brackish conditions, specific gravity around 1.005, over freshwater environments. IME, this species does not like pHs below 6.5.
Feeding: Although often fed live fish, this species can be trained to accept shrimp, krill, frozen brine shrimp, beefheart, earthworms, and even Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets.
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