Hydrocynus Species

[Sarcosuchus]

I was checking on the Goliath African Tiger Fish and I read there are more than one species within the family of Hydrocynus. Can anyone clarify them for me? Doing online research though, but would love to hear from you guys, especially those with experience.

How many species are there and what do they look like? It is said that it's not easy to differenciate them. What's the difference then? And what about the sizes?

 

[Sarcosuchus]

Anyone?

 

[Sarcosuchus]

 

[Stone Like Fish]

most of those pics looks like vitatus, all the full body shots at least.

 

[Sarcosuchus]

Thank you very much for replying. Hydrocynus vittatus? Cool, checking it online now. And how different are the others? How many species are there and what are the growth rate?

Edit: Got information on the species:-

Info on the Tigerfish:-

There are two types of tigerfish, the standard model and the Giant Tigerfish. Their scientific names are Hydrocynus vittatus and Hydrocynus goliath. They are freshwater fish of Africa, ranging from the Nile, south to Zaire, the Zambezi and the Limpopo, as well as Lake Tanganyika. They're distantly related to pirahnas. The smaller species grows to at least 15kg and the 'giant' to more than 60kg!! They're supposed to be excellent sport fish.
--------------------------------------------------------

What's the maximum length of the Vittatus? If I'm not mistaken, I read that the Goliath can grow up to 6 feet in length...wow...

 

[Sarcosuchus]

How to differ between Goliath and Vittatus.

1# Goliathy
2# Vittatus

I really admire the tail of the Goliath...that's sad the Vittatus do not have it like that.

 

[Sarcosuchus]

Hydrocynus vittatus
Tiger fish

Looks like Vittatus do possess such awesome wild looking tail.

Info From FishBase:

Family: Alestiidae (African tetras) picture (Hyvit_u3.jpg) by Seegers, L.

Point map
Order: Characiformes (characins)

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

FishBase name: Tiger fish

Max. size: 105 cm FL (male/unsexed; Ref. 40637); 70 cm FL (female)

max. published weight: 28.0 kg (Ref. 40637);

max. reported age: 8 years

Environment: demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); freshwater

Climate: tropical; 22 – 28°C

Importance: fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.20-0.30; tmax=11)

Distribution:
Gazetteer Africa: Niger/Bénoué, Ouémé, Senegal, Nile, Omo, Congo, Lufira, Lualaba, Luapula, Zambeze, Limpopo, Rovuma, Shore, Rufiji , Ruaha, Wami, and Ruvu. Lakes - Bangwéolo, Moéro, Tanganyika, Upemba, Rukwa and Malagarazi. Also Okavango and lower reaches of coastal systems south to Pongolo (Ref. 7248). Also found in Lake Kariba (Ref. 27602).

Morphology: Dorsal spines (total): 2 - 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 8; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12. Body profile less slender than H. forskalii. Eye < 70% of interorbital space. Long gill rakers. Tips of adipose and dorsal fins black. Forked edge of caudal fin black.

Biology: Prefers warm, well-oxygenated water, mainly larger rivers and lakes. All but the largest form roving schools of like-sized fish; aptly described as fierce and voracious. Feeds on whatever prey is most abundant but Brycinus, Micralestes, Barbus, and Limnothrissa are favored. Useful food fish in some areas.

 

[mike C]

In the first photo of this post, in the photo there is a pic of a dead dried head...that is a Goliath. Notice behind the 4th large tooth back there is a SERIES of small teeth. Well the Goliath is the only one who has them. The others only have 1. All the other fish in the photo are Vittatus. A Goliath also is more slender headed when young. Really you'd be much better off with a Vittatus because it grows to 1/2 the size of a Goliath with the same great attributes...teeth. I love mine. Super fast too. And never buy 2 because eventually you'll loose one, they are good solo or with a small school.
Mike

 

[Sarcosuchus]

Cool, thank you very much for replying and clearing it up for me. Your Vittatus looks awesome. How big is it and what's its diet? Another question is, how do you identify the sex dimorphism? So this one killed your other Vittatus huh? I'm sorry to hear that.

I don't know if a Vittatus is ever sold in Malaysia...hmm. Thanks again!

 

[mike C]

Thanks, He/She is only 6'' right now and it eats goldfish,guppies,platties and frozen brine shrimp. I find them to be fast growers.
Mike