Dangerous Goliath Tigerfish Lurking In The Freshwaters | The Predatory Fish That Even Attacks Humans!
The Goliath Tigerfish, a dangerous freshwater fish, creeps in the waters of Africa. Bigger and more fierce than a piranha, this species has 32 razor-sharp teeth and a reputation for hostility. There are stories of its attacks on humans and even crocodiles. The Goliath Tigerfish remains a rare sight for fishermen, owing to its significant size and the danger it poses. Primarily found in the Congo River and Lake Tanganyika, this species remains an absolute fascination. British Biologist and TV Presenter, Jeremy Wade also caught a giant one of this species in the program ‘River Monsters.’ Let’s learn more about this fierce Goliath Tigerfish and its features.
Understanding the Goliath Tigerfish: Nature’s Fierce Predator
The Goliath Tigerfish stands out with its daunting appearance. It can grow significantly larger than its relatives like Piranhas with a fierce demeanor to match. They are living in highly oxygenated and fast-flowing waters. They are unlikely to be found in marshy waters.
They are usually an olive brown that is slightly leaning towards a pale grey in color. The fish also has red or orange fins along with a black dorsal fin. The name tigerfish comes from the black stripes that are running the length of the fish’s sides and also from its fierce look.
They are frightening hunters, but their interactions with humans are rare. Their predatory nature is more prominent in their hunt for other fish. Compared to the regular tigerfish, the Goliath variant is notably larger and more powerful, often dominating its habitat.
The Size and Strength of the Goliath Tigerfish
The Goliath Tigerfish can grow to impressive sizes. An adult fish can develop up to 5 feet in length and can weigh up to 110lbs. The largest ever recorded fish of this species weighed 70 kg (154 lb). The Goliath Tigerfish are also strong swimmers even preying in rough waters.
Hydrocynus goliath, aka the goliath tigerfish, has 32 teeth, with 12-20 in the upper jaw, and 8-14 in the lower jaw. Their razor-sharp teeth can grow up to 2.5 cm in size. The teeth on top and bottom jaws can also interlock with each other giving a rather terrifying appearance.
Goliath Tigerfish has a wide jaw, unlike some other predatory fish. These wide jaws allow the teeth to point further forward when it’s attacking its prey. Their diet is diverse, occasionally including catfish, angelfish, carp, cichlids, gobies, etc. They sometimes even attack crocodiles and humans even though the fish is not able to fully dominate them.
The bite force of these fish is remarkable, contributing to their efficiency as predators and their ability to tackle large and challenging prey. Their bite force can even split the prey in half!
The Rare Encounter: Goliath Tigerfish and Human Interactions
Encounters between Goliath Tigerfish and humans are rare, but they have gained significant attention. These interactions are few due to the fish’s natural habitat and behavior. Fishermen in the regions where these tigerfish reside often recount stories of their ferocity, but actual attacks on humans are not commonly documented.
British TV presenter and biologist Jeremy Wade also caught a 5-foot Goliath Tigerfish on his TV program River Monsters. A person who appears in the episode shares how a Goliath tigerfish jumped out of the water and bit a man on his neck, killing him instantly.
‘The teeth on it are incredibly sharp and are about the same length as a great white shark. It also has an extremely powerful bite and has been known to consume prey the same size as itself, attack people, and take pieces out of crocodiles.’
Jeremy Wade (River Monsters)
The Life Cycle and Habitat of the Goliath Tigerfish
The Goliath Tigerfish can live for several years, depending on environmental conditions. However, they are estimated to live up to approximately 10-12 years.
A female Goliath tigerfish lays tens of thousands of eggs at a time and the amount can even go up to 750,000 eggs. These fish are predators from birth. But the infant fish passes a larval stage during which they feed on animal plankton. As the fish grow big, they attack even larger animals in the water.
They thrive in the specific freshwater environments of the Congo River and Lake Tanganyika. These habitats provide the perfect balance of food, temperature, and water conditions necessary for their growth and survival. Understanding their life cycle and habitat is crucial for their conservation and the maintenance of the ecological balance in these African waters.
Conclusion
The Goliath Tigerfish is a fascinating creature that plays a vital role in its ecosystem. While its size and predatory nature have been the subject of many stories, the reality is that this fish is an integral part of the biodiversity in African freshwater bodies. It is important for us to appreciate and understand such unique species for the health and diversity of our global ecosystem.
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