It seems the majority of people here keep d. microlepis in freshwater. I'm starting a new 110g (4') tank and right now I have 3 Mono Sebae and 3 Scats (silver) in it and it seems like all the other fish I want to put in it are brackish fish as well (Archer, Needlefish, maybe a Dusky Panther Goby or two, Columbian shark cats...). The water I have in it now is hard, alkaline freshwater but I'm thinking about slowly making it brackish. The problem is that I really want a Datnoid and all the LFSs around here seem to have only D. Microlepis (no American Tigers or New Guineas). I know the ATs and NGs can do well in brackish but since I can't find any around here, the question is: Would a D. Microlepis be happy in a brackish tank or would he be unstable and miserable? This is my first post here, sorry its so long but I figured I would ask the Dat experts here at MFK before I buy one and have an unhappy fish. Thanks!!
D. Microlepis OK in brackish?
- Thread starter BigSLC
- Start date
Welcome to MKF - 
Indo Dats are full Fresh water fish, and do not live in brackish conditions in the wild. However I do know of a LFS near me that keeps them in brackish (none of them are stable) and have heard other members talk about LFS around them that do the same. I think there is actually a member on this forum who keeps his in brackish as well.
Personally I would not, they're not made to be able to live in brackish conditions, and I think that would have to lead to some sort of health problems, stunted growth, shortened life span, etc.
Indo Dats are full Fresh water fish, and do not live in brackish conditions in the wild. However I do know of a LFS near me that keeps them in brackish (none of them are stable) and have heard other members talk about LFS around them that do the same. I think there is actually a member on this forum who keeps his in brackish as well.
Personally I would not, they're not made to be able to live in brackish conditions, and I think that would have to lead to some sort of health problems, stunted growth, shortened life span, etc.
Thank you TCZeli and sayyid_Az for your replies, its starting to look like I may need to look for an American Tiger Dat. Does anybody have any ideas on where I could order one online? I found one site but they are asking about $40 plus $35 for shipping. Is this about what I should expect? Thanks again!