TankBud

African tigerfish

Hydrocynus vittatus

Also known as Tigerfish, Tiger fish, Striped tigerfish

FreshwaterFish

African tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus)
Totti · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
29.5 in
75 cm
Minimum tank
1,057 gal
4,000 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Alestidae
Origin
Widespread across major African rivers and lakes including the Congo, Zambezi, and Okavango systems.

Overview

The African tigerfish is a huge, fast and highly predatory fish that hunts in open midwater. It is strictly a fish for specialists with space on the scale of a public aquarium.

Did you know

One population of African tigerfish has been filmed leaping from the water to snatch swallows in flight. It is one of the very few fish known to catch birds on the wing.

Caring for the African tigerfish

The African tigerfish needs an enormous tank of at least 1,057 gal (4,000 L), with powerful filtration and strong flow. It is a fast, skittish swimmer that can injure itself dashing into the glass, so give it as much room as you can.

Keep the water warm and well oxygenated, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. It is a fast pursuit predator that runs down smaller fish.

The African tigerfish is aggressive and will kill and eat smaller tank mates. Choose any company with caution. It does better with room and a group of its own kind.

Good to know

Hydrocynus vittatus is a relative of the African tetras in the family Alestidae, also sold as the tigerfish or striped tigerfish. It is armed with large, dagger-like teeth that stay visible when the mouth is closed. FishBase records lengths up to about 105 cm and weights near 28 kg, though most fish are smaller. It is one of the most famous gamefish in Africa.

In the wild

The African tigerfish is widespread across major African rivers and lakes, including the Congo, Zambezi and Okavango systems. It hunts in open water, often in loose hunting shoals, and favors flowing channels and open lake edges over cover.

Common questions

What size tank does an African tigerfish need?

An African tigerfish needs at least 1,057 gal (4,000 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an African tigerfish need?

An African tigerfish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does an African tigerfish eat?

An African tigerfish is a fast pursuit predator that eats smaller fish. In a tank, it will kill and eat smaller tank mates.

How big does an African tigerfish get?

An adult African tigerfish reaches about 29.5 in (75 cm).

Related species