Family: Percichthyidae
Slender Mandarinfish — a Percichthyidae from China, assertive but manageable with space and structure. Reaches 28–41.1 cm; singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded. 4–22 °C.
Siniperca roulei, a member of the family Percichthyidae, comes from China, where it inhabits river rapids and rocky lakeshores. Assertive but manageable with space and structure and accepts all foods; emphasise quality over variety, it grows to 28–41.1 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 4–22 °C range. Other Siniperca species in our database include Siniperca chuatsi, Siniperca fortis, Siniperca knerii.
Intermediate difficulty. Assertive but manageable with space and structure; singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded.
Set the heater to 4–22 °C and avoid swings. pH 7–7.4, GH 2–5 dGH suit it.
Full size is 28–41.1 cm. Minimum tank: 500 L, with open swimming space along its middle to bottom habits.
Accepts all foods; emphasise quality over variety. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Assertive but manageable with space and structure; singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded. Good company: Other cichlids of similar size and temperament — Balance aggression across the tank. Keep away from Delicate planted-tank species — Uprooted and outcompeted.
Comes from China: river rapids and rocky lakeshores. Expect moderate to strong current and high.
Not a noted jumper — a standard cover still keeps dust and spray in.
Cave or substrate spawner with prolonged parental care. Breeding colours differ.