Hydrocynus Sp: The African Tiger Fish Captive Care Guide
- Thread starter xander
- Start date
Author(s): Xander (Alexander Eng)
Photos by:
Edited, Arranged, and Referenced by Xander
*** All Information & Images Copyright 2010 Alexander Eng and www.MonsterFishKeepers.com OR used with permission. No material (listed above) may be reproduced without permission.
Information
Order:
Characiformes
Family:
Alestiidae
Genus:
Hydrocynus
Hydrocynus forskahlii (1819)
Hydrocynus vittatus (1861)
Hydrocynus goliath (1898)
Hydrocynus brevis (1964)
Distribution:
Description:
Captive Care Guide
Suggested Husbandry:
Tank Size:
Growth Rate:
Water Parameters:
Tankmates:
Transport:
References:
Fishbase.org
Photos by:
Edited, Arranged, and Referenced by Xander
*** All Information & Images Copyright 2010 Alexander Eng and www.MonsterFishKeepers.com OR used with permission. No material (listed above) may be reproduced without permission.
Information
Order:
Characiformes
Family:
Alestiidae
Genus:
Hydrocynus
Hydrocynus forskahlii (1819)
Hydrocynus vittatus (1861)
Hydrocynus goliath (1898)
Hydrocynus brevis (1964)
Distribution:
Description:
Captive Care Guide
Suggested Husbandry:
Tank Size:
Growth Rate:
Water Parameters:
Tankmates:
Transport:
References:
Fishbase.org
Author(s): Xander (Alexander Eng)
Photos by: Xander
Edited, Arranged, and Referenced by Xander
*** All Information & Images Copyright 2010 Alexander Eng and www.MonsterFishKeepers.com OR used with permission. No material (listed above) may be reproduced without permission.
Species Information
Scientific Name:
Hydrocynus goliath
Common Name(s):
Goliath African Tiger Fish, Giant Tigerfish
Distribution:
Africa: Congo River basin, Lualaba River, Lake Upemba, and Lake Tanganyika (Fishbase.org)
Description:
The Goliath ATF is identified by its broad jaws, large teeth, lack of pattern on a silvery, elongated body and a large, crescent cadual fin.
Comments:
The largest of the Tigerfish species, these are enormous fish with requirements that match. Very little is known about these fish in the wild.
Captive Care Guide
Known Captive Max Size:
At least 3ft
Known Average Captive Growth Rate:
Little is known about GATF growth rate in the later stages of their lives (ages 3 & up), largely due to the fact that not many can provide the kind of facilities that these fishes need.
Age: yoy
They can get between 8" to 12" at this stage of their lives.
Age: 2 years
We often seen GATF growth rate slowing down greatly after this point during the second year. However, there is evidence to point to the fact that this is due to tank restraints rather than genetics. GATF specimens housed in tanks (even large tanks, such as a 900gal) grow an estimated 6" during this year to attain a size of 14" to 18". However, specimens grown in ponds can reach 20"to 24" in their second year.
Age: 3 years
Most other known large specimens are kept in ~1000gal aquariums and seldom put on more than 6" to reach sizes between 20" to 24". However, it is suggested that given adequate space, they can put on another ~12" during their third year. Eg; Reddragon343's GATF grew 12" from 2' to 3' in a single year in his 50 tonne pond. As
Age: 4 years and up
unknown
Suggested Husbandry:
The following recommendations might seem exaggerated, but there is evidence suggesting that those are the requirements in order to prevent injury to the fish AND allow it to continue growing.
Tank Size:
A good rule of thumb to follow when deciding on a tank size for these fish is to ensure that it is large enough so that the GATF(s) is/are capable of cruising AND darting around uninhibited, WITHOUT hitting tank/pond walls in their mad dashes.
For 6" specimens - nothing under 4' long and 2' wide or a 120gal is recommended.
For 12" specimens - nothing under 6' long and 2.5' or a 240gal wide is recommended.
For ~18 specimens - nothing under 6' long and 3' or a 370gal wide is recommended.
For ~24" and above specimens - LARGE enclosures only. Refer to the rule of thumb regarding tank sizes.
Water Parameters:
These fish require clean, highly oxygenated water to keep up with their incredible metabolism rates. Also ensure that you provide a strong current in their enclosures.
Tankmates:
Temprement:
Transport:
References:
Fishbase.org
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Photos by: Xander
Edited, Arranged, and Referenced by Xander
*** All Information & Images Copyright 2010 Alexander Eng and www.MonsterFishKeepers.com OR used with permission. No material (listed above) may be reproduced without permission.
Species Information
Scientific Name:
Hydrocynus goliath
Common Name(s):
Goliath African Tiger Fish, Giant Tigerfish
Distribution:
Africa: Congo River basin, Lualaba River, Lake Upemba, and Lake Tanganyika (Fishbase.org)
Description:
The Goliath ATF is identified by its broad jaws, large teeth, lack of pattern on a silvery, elongated body and a large, crescent cadual fin.
Comments:
The largest of the Tigerfish species, these are enormous fish with requirements that match. Very little is known about these fish in the wild.
Captive Care Guide
Known Captive Max Size:
At least 3ft
Known Average Captive Growth Rate:
Little is known about GATF growth rate in the later stages of their lives (ages 3 & up), largely due to the fact that not many can provide the kind of facilities that these fishes need.
Age: yoy
They can get between 8" to 12" at this stage of their lives.
Age: 2 years
We often seen GATF growth rate slowing down greatly after this point during the second year. However, there is evidence to point to the fact that this is due to tank restraints rather than genetics. GATF specimens housed in tanks (even large tanks, such as a 900gal) grow an estimated 6" during this year to attain a size of 14" to 18". However, specimens grown in ponds can reach 20"to 24" in their second year.
Age: 3 years
Most other known large specimens are kept in ~1000gal aquariums and seldom put on more than 6" to reach sizes between 20" to 24". However, it is suggested that given adequate space, they can put on another ~12" during their third year. Eg; Reddragon343's GATF grew 12" from 2' to 3' in a single year in his 50 tonne pond. As
Age: 4 years and up
unknown
Suggested Husbandry:
The following recommendations might seem exaggerated, but there is evidence suggesting that those are the requirements in order to prevent injury to the fish AND allow it to continue growing.
Tank Size:
A good rule of thumb to follow when deciding on a tank size for these fish is to ensure that it is large enough so that the GATF(s) is/are capable of cruising AND darting around uninhibited, WITHOUT hitting tank/pond walls in their mad dashes.
For 6" specimens - nothing under 4' long and 2' wide or a 120gal is recommended.
For 12" specimens - nothing under 6' long and 2.5' or a 240gal wide is recommended.
For ~18 specimens - nothing under 6' long and 3' or a 370gal wide is recommended.
For ~24" and above specimens - LARGE enclosures only. Refer to the rule of thumb regarding tank sizes.
Water Parameters:
These fish require clean, highly oxygenated water to keep up with their incredible metabolism rates. Also ensure that you provide a strong current in their enclosures.
Tankmates:
Temprement:
Transport:
References:
Fishbase.org
MonsterFishKeepers.com