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Hydrocynus vittatus, the African tigerfish, tiervis or ngwesh [3] is a predatory freshwater fish distributed throughout much of Africa. This fish is generally a piscivore but it has been observed leaping out of the water and catching barn swallows in flight.
Tigerfish can refer to fish from various families, and derives from official and colloquial associations of these with the tiger (Panthera tigris).However, the primary species designated by the name "tigerfish" are African and belong to the family Alestidae.
Goliath tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath) is one of five recognized African species of the Hydrocynus genus and is found in the Congo River Basin (including Lualaba River and Lake Upemba), and Lake Tanganyika. [3] [4] The type locality is the city of Mbandaka in the Main Congo, where it was discovered in 1898 by French explorer Boulenger. [5]
The genus contains five species, [2] all commonly known as "African tigerfish" for their fierce predatory behaviour and other characteristics that make them excellent game fish. [3] Hydrocynus are normally piscivorous, [4] but H. vittatus is proven to prey on birds in flight. [5]
Tigerfish are rare in the aquarium trade but this species is the most commonly traded and kept species. [5] As Hydrocynus forskahlii is a commercially important species it suffers from heavy fishing pressure. In addition it is threatened by dams, water pollution, groundwater extraction and drought. [1]
The tigerfish is silver in colour when young, with thin black horizontal stripes and an elongated body that tapers at both ends. As the fish grows, it will develop a bronze coloration and the stripes will fade. The ventral and caudal fins have a slight red-orange tint, and the adipose fin is grey to black.
Hepsetus cuvieri overlaps in its distribution and habitat with the African tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus and there is also a large degree of overlap in prey. The tigerfish prefers open, better oxygenated water and hunts by rapid pursuit of prey while H. cuvieri prefers dense vegetation where it is an ambush predator.
Hydrocynus tanzaniae is a large, predatory fish. It has pronounced dentition similar to those found in Hydrocynus forskahlii. [2] The holotype was nine and a half inches long (247mm), [2] but specimens have been caught by fishermen greater than 27 inches (70 cm) and 25 pounds (11 kg). [3]