Search results
Hydrocynus goliath, also known as the goliath tigerfish, is a very large African predatory freshwater fish. It lives in the Congo River Basin and Lake Tanganyika, and is considered the greatest freshwater gamefish in the world.
- Goliath Tigerfish Profile
- Interesting Goliath Tigerfish Facts
- Goliath Tigerfish Fact-File Summary
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
The Hydrocynus Goliath, more commonly known as the goliath tigerfish, or giant tigerfish, is a vicious predatory fish found lurking in the waters of large rivers and lakes in central Africa. They are found predominantly in the Congo River basin and Lake Tanganyika. This giant predator is one of the largest of the order of characids, which also incl...
1. They get their name from their appearance, demeanor and size
The name tigerfish is a reference to the black stripes that are often found running down the flanks of these huge fish, as well as their fierce, sharp teeth and rapacious nature; while the word ‘goliath’ refers to their giant size. However, the nickname tigerfish is used to refer to a number of vicious, predatory African river fish.
2. Goliath tigerfish have up to 32 razor-sharp teeth
The upper jaw contains 12-20 teeth, while the lower jaw 8-14. The teeth interlock into matching indents onto the opposite jawline, and protrude slightly from the mouth. The teeth are slightly conical in shape and can be up to 2.5cm (1 inch) in length. To put this into perspective, they are a similar size to a great white shark. Goliath tigerfish have been known to snap their prey in half with a single bite. 2
3. They have replaceable teeth
Although relatively little study has been carried out on these elusive creatures, a study by Gagiano et al (1996) observed that captive tigerfish would replace all their teeth simultaneously within a period of 5 days, with no replacement having been observed previously!
Scientific Classification
1. Fenton Peter David Cotterill (2009), “How many tigerfish species? Genetic insights into the evolution of Africa’s Tigerfish and the taxonomic status of Tanzanian Hydrocynus“, Research Gate. 2. Barry Berkovitz, Peter Shellis (2017), “The tigerfishes (Hydrocynus spp.) are voracious hunters, of which the giant tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath: Fig. 4.30A) is the largest“, The Teeth of Non-Mammalian Vertebrates. 3. Bill Hansford-Steele (2013), “African Fly-fishing Handbook A Guide to Freshwater a...
Learn about the goliath tigerfish, a vicious predator with razor-sharp teeth and a fearsome reputation. Find out its habitat, diet, lifespan, conservation status, and more interesting facts.
- 2 min
- What does the goliath tigerfish look like? The goliath tigerfish looks like a regular fish on steroids. It’s four times the size of a piranha, and it has a series of sharp, jagged fangs that stick out of its mouth.
- How big is a goliath tigerfish? You’d expect a fish with the name “Goliath” to be huge, and you’d be right. The goliath tigerfish measures anywhere from 4-5 feet long when fully grown.
- How much does a goliath tigerfish weigh? The goliath tigerfish weighs between 90-100 pounds (41-45 kg) . It’s been suggested that females are smaller than males, but this is anecdotal data and not anything verified by researchers.
- What’s the biggest Goliath tigerfish on record? Are you ready for this? The largest documented catch for the goliath tigerfish was 4.9 feet long and 154 pounds (70 kg).
Nov 2, 2022 · Learn how to keep the Goliath tigerfish, a massive and ferocious predator native to Africa, in your aquarium. Find out about their appearance, lifespan, tank size, water parameters, common diseases, behavior, tank mates, and breeding.
Mar 19, 2024 · Learn about the goliath tigerfish, a fearsome predator that can grow to five feet and weigh 34 pounds. Find out how it hunts, what it eats, and why it is called the "demon fish" or mbenga.
Jul 9, 2023 · Learn about the goliath tigerfish, a fearsome predator with 32 spear-like teeth and a reputation for attacking humans. Find out how to catch this river monster in the Congo Basin and why it's worth the challenge.
May 27, 2024 · Learn about the Goliath tigerfish, the largest member of the Hydrocynus genus and a fearsome predator in African rivers and lakes. Find out how to identify, care for, and avoid this fish that can grow up to 100 pounds and has 32 sharp teeth.
