Elongate tigerfish
📖 Overview
Forms shoals; an open water predator often found near the water surface; feeds on fishes, preferring long bodied fish as they are easier to swallow and also takes insects, grass and snails; cannibalistic; preyed upon by fish eagle Haliaeetus vocifer; breeding migrations have been reported up several tributaries of Lake Kariba during the rains .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Diagnosis: 2 scale rows between lateral line and scaly process at pelvic-fin bases; eye
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Elongate tigerfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; pelagic; potamodromous . Tropical West Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
fishes, preferring long bodied fish as they are easier to swallow and also takes insects, grass and
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Elongate tigerfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 309 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Elongate tigerfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Characin · Elongate Tigerfish · Tiger fish · Tigerfish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Kas |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocynus forskali | Cuvier | 1819 | Synonym |
| Hydrocynus forskhalii | Cuvier | 1819 | Synonym |
| Hydrocyon forskahlii | Cuvier | 1819 | Synonym |
| Hydrocyon forskalli | Cuvier | 1819 | Synonym |
| Hydrocyon forskhali | Cuvier | 1819 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 156 records indexed .
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