Species learning profile
Goliath tigerfish
Hydrocynus goliath
Goliath tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath) is a freshwater fish associated with river habitat in Africa. Interlocking dagger-like teeth seize prey in powerful currents.
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At a glance
- Água
- Água doce
- Habitat
- Rio
- Comprimento máximo
- 150 cm
- Distribuição
- Africa
- Família
- Alestidae
- Ordem
- Characiformes
Observe
How to identify Goliath tigerfish
- Interlocking dagger-like teeth seize prey in powerful currents.
- Guide context: river habitat in Africa.
- Reported maximum length: 150 cm — capable of growing longer than many people are tall. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.
Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.
Place and pattern
Where it lives—and how it behaves
Habitat and range
This species is associated with river habitat across Africa. Flow, seasonal floods, connected side channels, and access to spawning reaches all shape its river habitat.
Behavior
Uses speed and vibration sensing in large rivers
Food-web connections
What it eats and why it matters
Diet
Fish.
Ecological role
An apex predator of the Congo Basin.
Remember
One fact worth keeping
Goliath tigerfish pode chegar a cerca de 150 cm e costuma viver perto de Rio.
Think like a conservationist
A conservation lens
River fish depend on connected water. Dams, blocked migrations, pollution, and altered flow can matter even when the channel still looks wet.
This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.
Recall
Quick knowledge check
Which habitat is most closely associated with Goliath tigerfish in this guide?
Keep exploring
References and further reading
Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.
Make connections