Hydrocynus goliath

Hydrocynus goliath
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Characiformes
Family:Alestidae
Genus:Hydrocynus
Species: H. goliath
Binomial name
Hydrocynus goliath
(Boulenger, 1898)
Catchment area for Hydrocynus goliath
Synonyms[2]
  • Hydrocyon goliath Boulenger, 1898
  • Hydrocyon vittiger Boulenger, 1907
  • Hydrocynus vittiger (Boulenger, 1907)

Hydrocynus goliath in an aquarium

Hydrocynus goliath, also known as the goliath tigerfish, giant tigerfish, or mbenga, is a very large African predatory freshwater fish of the family Alestidae.

Distribution

Hydrocynus goliath is found in the Congo River Basin (including Lualaba River and Lake Upemba), and Lake Tanganyika.[3] A study published in 2011 revealed several mtDNA clades in this region, suggesting a higher tigerfish species richness than traditionally recognized. If confirmed, this would restrict H. goliath to the Congo River Basin.[4] Four additional species (H. vittatus and three undescribed species) appear to be present in this Basin, while two (H. vittatus and an undescribed species) appear to be present in Lake Tanganyika.[4]

Description

This large-toothed, highly predatory fish grows to a length of 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) and a weight of 50 kilograms (110 lb).[5] Its teeth fit into distinct grooves along its jaws.

Diet

Hydrocynus goliath is a piscivore, feeding on any fish it can overpower, including smaller conspecifics.

When hunting, this fish uses the calmer eddies of the rapids to ambush its prey, using its keen sight and hearing to detect prey. When a target is noticed, the fish accelerates to chase it down.

Interaction with humans

A number of incidents have been reported in The Congo of this fish attacking humans.[6] This reputation, combined with its strength, has earned it an almost mythical status among anglers, and it has been called the "greatest freshwater gamefish in the world".[6]

According to locals living near the river, the evil spirit "mbenga" would enter the fish and make it attack people.

This species featured in Jeremy Wade's documentary series River Monsters (Season 2, Episode 4 "Demon Fish"). Wade managed to catch the fish and planned to release it, but it died from swimming into rocks during the fight. In the special, Wade called this fish the "ultimate river monster" of all the fish he has caught filming for the series.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Moelants, T. (2010). "Hydrocynus goliath". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2010: e.T182833A7980766. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182833A7980766.en. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  2. ↑ "Synonyms of Hydrocynus goliath (Boulenger, 1898)". Fishbase. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  3. ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Hydrocynus goliath" in FishBase. April 2013 version.
  4. 1 2 Goodier, S.A.M., F.P.D. Cotterill, C. O'Ryan, P.H. Skelton, and M.J de Wit (2011). Cryptic Diversity of African Tigerfish (Genus Hydrocynus) Reveals Palaeogeographic Signatures of Linked Neogene Geotectonic Events. PLoS ONE 6(12): e28775. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028775
  5. ↑ Paul Harvey Skelton (2001). A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa. Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-643-1.
  6. 1 2 Bill Hansford-Steele (2002). African Fly-Fishing Handbook. Struik. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-86872-882-4.
  7. ↑ Goliath Tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath) Discovery channel
  • Goliath Tigerfish | The Proceedings of the Ever so Strange
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20101206040928/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/3826/Overview
  • Phillipson, David W. (1975). Mosi-oa-Tunya: A Handbook to the Victoria Falls Region. Longman. ISBN 0-582-64170-5. OCLC 2639131.
  • "Mystical goliath tiger fish caught on camera". 21 October 2010.


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