All fish / Alestidae

Goliath Tigerfish

Hydrocynus goliath

Also known as goliath tiger fish, giant tigerfish, mbenga, congo tigerfish, giant tiger fish, ปลาเสือแอฟริกา, ゴライアスタイガーフィッシュ, 巨型虎鱼, 非洲虎鱼

A big, silvery predator with dark stripes along its sides, a red-tinged forked tail and long, dagger-like teeth that show even when its mouth is shut. Keepers of monster fish prize it for its fierce look and fast hunting, but it is mostly seen in public aquariums.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

60 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

5000 litres

Keep as

Single specimen, or a group only in very large systems

Diet

Carnivore: whole fish, prawns, mussel and large pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Congo River basin and Lake Tanganyika, Central Africa

Breeding

In the wild it spawns over flooded vegetation in the rainy season. Captive breeding has not been recorded in home aquariums.

Good to know

Can exceed 100 cm and 40 kg in the wild, needs a huge, well-filtered tank with a secure lid, and will eat any tankmate it can fit in its mouth. Handle with care, as its teeth can cause serious injuries.