Datnioides microlepis (Tiger pole)

The Datnioides Microlepis is a freshwater fish from Southeast Asia, more precisely rivers and lakes from Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. It is a medium -sized fish, generally measuring between 20 and 30 centimeters long, although some specimens can reach a larger size. The Datnioides Microlepis is also known as the Burma-Burma Fish of Burma, due to its elongated shape and its sheet-shaped scales, which give it a similar appearance to that of a parrot.

The body of the microlepis datnioides is elongated and compressed laterally, with a wide head and a protractile mouth at the front. The eyes are located on the sides of the head, which allows it a panoramic vision. The fish scales are in the shape of a sheet, with serrated edges which give it a rough texture. The color of the microlepis datnioides varies depending on age and sex, but it is generally gray or brown, with darker spots on the body and vertical strips on the sides.

The microlepis datnioides is a lonely and territorial fish, which generally lives in shallow and quiet waters, such as lakes and rivers. It feeds mainly on small fish, insects and crustaceans, which it captures using its protractile mouth to suck its prey. Microlepis datnioides is also known to be an excellent swimmer, thanks to its powerful fins which allow it to quickly move in water.

Microlepis datnioides is considered a species threatened in its natural habitat, due to the loss of its freshwater habitat caused by pollution and urbanization. However, it is also very popular in aquarophilia, because of its beauty and its unique behavior.