Hydrocynus goliath

Giant Tigerfish

Classification

Alestiidae

Distribution

Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Habitat

Most often found in large rivers and lakes, including Tanganyika.

Maximum Standard Length

A truly monstrous 84″ (210cm). It’s unlikely to reach this size in captivity but assume 48″ as a conservative estimate of eventual size.

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

Hardly worth considering, but somewhere in the region of 15,000 litres may just about suffice!

Maintenance

There is no need for any decor except perhaps a sandy base due to the speed and power of these fish. Water should be of the highest quality and well-oxygenated. It is a very active swimmer and therefore requires an absolutely enormous aquarium.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)

pH: 6.5-7.5

Hardness: 10-25°H

Diet

It is a piscivore by nature and many sources state that it will only feed on live fish. This is not true and it can be weaned onto whitebait and other dead foods fairly easily.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

Should be kept alone, although juvenile fish do shoal. There are reports of it being kept with Loricariids, cichlids etc. but these are usually young fish being kept with larger tankmates. Anything smaller than the tiger fish may be ripped to pieces without prior warning.

Sexual Dimorphism

Unknown.

Reproduction

Not achieved in aquaria.

NotesTop ↑

A voracious piscivore this species is perfectly designed for its lifestyle. It is very streamlined and muscular and has one of the most amazing sets of teeth of any freshwater fish. These are dagger-shaped and interlock, meaning the fish can rip chunks out of its prey. The teeth are visible even when the animal’s mouth is closed, which makes for a fearsome sight.
It is one of the world’s most infamous game fish and specimens weighing over 100 pounds have been recorded.

We cannot stress strongly enough that this is a species totally unsuited to aquarium life. Alarmingly, it is becoming easier to acquire, with small specimens showing up quite frequently in dealer’s tanks over the last few years. When small, it makes an interesting and undeniably impressive addition to a large aquarium but, bearing in mind its enormous adult size and the potential dangers associated with the maintenance of such a fearsome predator, we recommend it is avoided. Tank maintenance is incredibly dangerous with adult fish easily being able to sever a man’s hand. The other thing to consider is what you will do with the fish once it begins to approach 3 or 4 feet in length. It is sad when so many suitable aquarium species are available that some of these wonderful predators will be consigned to an early death.