Family: Percichthyidae
Golden Mandarin Fish — a Percichthyidae from China, feisty around breeding time; plan territory in advance. Reaches 28–41.1 cm; pairs or harems in tanks with broken sightlines. 4–22 °C.
A Percichthyidae species native to China: Siniperca scherzeri lives middle to bottom over river rapids and rocky lakeshores. Feisty around breeding time; plan territory in advance. Adults reach 28–41.1 cm. It is one of the aquarium-kept Siniperca species we profile, alongside Siniperca chuatsi, Siniperca fortis, Siniperca knerii.
A moderate-level species: feisty around breeding time; plan territory in advance; stable water matters more than fancy equipment.
Aim for 4–22 °C. Stable temperate to subtropical; 4.0–22.0 °C typical for the genus.
Full size is 28–41.1 cm. Minimum tank: 500 L, with open swimming space along its middle to bottom habits.
Hearty eater; feed pellets with regular vegetable matter. It forages naturally over gravel and rock, so let some food reach the bottom.
Feisty around breeding time; plan territory in advance. Recommended tankmates: Large robust catfish — Ignore the posturing below. Avoid Small or timid fish — Bullied relentlessly.
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.
In the aquarium: both parents guard eggs and fry for weeks. Breeding colours differ.