Siniperca chuatsi – Chinese Perch / Mandarin Fish (~70 cm max)

A sturdy, predatory perch with a compressed body, pronounced lower jaw, and rows of sharp teeth. It bears a bronze-brown body with irregular dark blotches and short horizontal stripes along its side. Can reach up to ~70 cm in the wild and may live up to 9 years. 

Tank Setup:

• Requires a very large aquarium (400 L or more) that allows ample swimming and has hiding structures like driftwood and caves.

• Clean, excellent filtration and high oxygen levels are critical.

• Moderate lighting is ideal.

Water Conditions:

• Prefers temperate conditions—feeds when water temperature rises above 15 °C, with breeding initiation above ~21 °C.  

• pH: neutral range (approx. 7.0); hardness: soft to slightly hard (2–5 dH).  

Diet:

• A true carnivore: actively stalks and feeds on live, moving prey (small fish and crustaceans).

• Won’t eat stationary or dead food in most cases.

Behavior & Compatibility:

• Solitary and territorial; highly predatory by nature.

• Best kept alone or, in very large setups, only with much larger, non-prey species.

Breeding & Life Cycle:

• In nature, breeding occurs when temperatures exceed ~21 °C, likely in flowing water environments.

• Wild individuals mature between 1–2 years old.  

Conservation & Note:

• Despite its status as a favored game and food fish and extensive aquaculture activity, it’s rarely kept in home aquariums due to size and specialized needs.