Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Characins > African Tiger Fish

African Tiger Fish

Tiger Fish ~ Tiger Characin ~ African Tigerfish Family: Alestiidae

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Hydrocynus vittatus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

   Although the African Tiger Fish is a characin, it certainly is not your typical tetra!

   The unusual looking African Tiger Fish grows to an impressive size and is definitely a specialty fish. With a maximum size of 3½ feet and over 60 pounds, this limits who will able to keep one as they would need an aquarium upwards of a 1000 gallons. This fish is best suited for a public aquarium.

   One look at those teeth lets you know that the African Tiger Fish is a voracious predator. They are related to the Piranha, but get much larger. They can use those huge teeth to chop large fish into bite sized pieces. So even large tank mates can be at risk unless the Tiger Fish are kept extremely well fed. There isn’t much that can be kept with them, as tank mates really need to be appreciably larger species. This isn't so much a problem with them being aggressive, just having a very hearty appetite. They will school and do well in a species tank.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Dream Aquarium Build your own aquarium The Coolest and Funnest Screensaver in the World.

Distribution:
   The African Tiger Fish, also known as the Tiger Characin, was described by Castelnau in 1861. They are found in rivers and lakes throughout many parts of Africa. They will swim in schools with other similar sized fish while preying on food.

Status:
   The species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The African Tiger Fish is an elongated slender fish with a forked caudal fin. It has large iridescent silvery scales, sometimes with a golden cast. The teeth are always visible and are very large and sharp.

Size - Weight:
   These fish get up to 3½ feet (105 cm) and weigh up to 62 pounds (28 kg).

Care and feeding:
   Despite their large teeth, these fish are actually omnivores in the wild and will consume everything, including detritus and plant matter. When initially introduced into the aquarium they will readily eat live foods, but once they have acclimated they can be offered frozen foods as well a pellet diet. It has been reported that they will ignore prepared foods however, when there is live food available.
   Because of their large adult size, and their propensity for schooling with other similar sized fish, they need a very large aquarium. If you have a 1000+ gallon tank at you disposal, they are relatively easy to keep. They need a spacious open area for swimming, but also a decor of plants, roots, and driftwood to provide them with some hiding places. They need clean water, so good filtration is important.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all parts of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
  Temp: 72 - 82° F (22 - 28° C)

Social Behaviors:
   They are not necessarily aggressive but they do have a big appetite so there isn’t much that can survive in a tank with them. This species will do best kept a species tank, or with other similar sized non-territorial species.

Sexual Differences:
   Males are larger and fuller than the females.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The African Tiger Fish has not been bred in captivity. Presumably it would be very difficult to impossible as in nature they spawn during the rainy season. See the general description of how to breed Characins in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The African Tiger Fish or Tiger Characin are occasionally available but usually come with a very high price tag. Even though they aren’t considered rare, like many fish that get huge, they are expensive when they are small because they are small for such a short period of time.
   The African Tiger Fish is primarily a game fish and food fish. They can't be shipped into Florida, as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has restrictions placed upon the transport or handling of certain species, this being one.

Author: Ken Childs
Additional Information: Clarice Brough, CFS

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