Giant tigerfish
📖 Overview
Giant tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath) is a ray-finned fish of the family Alestidae. It inhabits freshwater waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 133 cm. With a trophic level of 3.8, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food, valued as a sport fish.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant tigerfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; pelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 25. Tropical; 23°C - 26°C
🌿 Ecology
📐 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
"Giant 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 | 19.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 448 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🏆 World Records
| Record Type | Value | Angler | Location | Date | Line Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 44 kg | Raymond Houtmans | Zaire River, Democratic Republic of Congo | 09 Apr 1988 | ALL |
Source: IGFA All-Tackle World Records database
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Giant Tigerfish · Goliath Tigerfish · Mbenga |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | رشال عملاق |
| 🌍CES | afrotetra tygří · binga tygří |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Stor Tigerfisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Riesen-Tigersalmler · Wasserhund · Wolfsalmler |
| 🌍EPO | Goljata tigrofiŝo |
| 🌍EST | Suur vesihunt |
| 🇫🇷French | Poisson tigre goliath |
| 🌍HEB | דג טיגריס גולייתי |
| 🇮🇹Italian | pesce tigre golia |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | ムベンガ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 골리앗타이거피시 |
| 🌍LIT | Afrikinės tigrinės tetros |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Goliat tygrysi |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-tigre-golias |
| 🌍RUN | Imbiribi |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Большая тигровая рыба · Большая тигровая рыба[ · Гигантский гидроцин |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez tigre |
| 🌍SWA | Mbiribi |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | Jättetigerfisk |
| 🌍THA | ปลาไทเกอร์โกไลแอต |
| 🌍UKR | Риба голіаф |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 巨狗脂鯉 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 49 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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