What got on Jeremy Wade's hook is a large tiger fish Goliath from the order of perchiformes. It is considered much more dangerous than piranhas, and thanks to its impressive size, the fish even attacks crocodiles.

The specimen that Wade caught weighs 45 kg and is almost 2 meters long. "This is a very, very dangerous fish. You need to be careful with it, get distracted, and it will bite off your finger, or even worse," the man said.

The tiger fish Goliath, a predatory fish weighing up to 154 pounds and up to 5 feet long, was recently featured on Animal Planet's newest River Monsters. Widely known as a fierce-looking creature with sharp teeth, the Goliath fish is just one example of a wide variety of fish species found in the Congo River, 80% of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The Monster Fish is capable of swimming in rough waters and can easily grab smaller fish that cannot swim upstream. It is also capable of picking up low frequency vibrations that its prey emits.

The Congo River is home to 686 species of fish. In an article describing the wonders of the Congo, the WWF has documented the existence of exotic fish found in its waters. The elephant fish has an electric organ in its tail that is used to navigate and communicate with its own kind. National Geographic magazine reports that this fish also has a long trunk to sift through sediment at the bottom of the river in search of food.


Doubling fish, unlike most fish, can breathe air. They survive with little or no oxygen. During the dry season, they burrow into mud pits and become covered in mucus. The multi-feathers resemble ancient fish, "with lobed fins and a hard scaly coating."
The fish of the Congo River are able to adapt to their environment with incredible efficiency. Some hide from predators in water hyacanths that grow along the banks of the river, others live in partially submerged fallen trees.
However, some fishermen abuse fish or use methods that harm fish populations, such as killing vegetation along river banks with herbicides, explosives and poisons. This has led to a decline in some fish species, which, according to research carried out by the Congo River Conservation and Development Project (CREDP), threatens the diversity of the river's underwater world.

Which I showed you recently. They called it partially photoshop :-)

Therefore, let me show you an even more toothy fish, which most probably already know about. It is very popular on the "Internet" because it looks very impressive! So welcome ...

In the largest river in Central Africa Congo there are about 700 species of all kinds of fish. Some of these river inhabitants are rather predatory individuals, capable of posing a threat not only to their river relatives, but also to humans. Tiger fish Goliath (Hydrocynus goliath)- a representative of just this type of predatory fish. This "river monster", reaching a length of up to one and a half meters and weighing more than 50 kg, is armed with a set of 32 large and sharp teeth resembling fangs in shape.

What got on the hook of Jeremy Wade is a large tiger fish, or giant hydrocin (lat.Hydrocynus goliath) from the characiniform order. It is considered much more dangerous than piranhas, and thanks to its 32 teeth, resembling fangs and impressive size, the fish even attacks crocodiles.

The specimen that Wade caught weighs 45 kg and is almost 2 meters long. "This is a very, very dangerous fish. You need to be careful with it, get distracted, and it will bite off your finger, or even worse," the man said.


Tiger fish Goliath, a predatory fish weighing up to 154 pounds and up to 5 feet long,. Widely known as a fierce-looking creature with sharp teeth, the Goliath fish is just one example of a wide variety of fish species found in the Congo River, 80% of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The Monster Fish is capable of swimming in rough waters and can easily grab smaller fish that cannot swim upstream. It is also capable of picking up low frequency vibrations that its prey emits.

The Congo River is home to 686 species of fish. In an article describing the wonders of the Congo, the WWF has documented the existence of exotic fish found in its waters. The elephant fish has an electric organ in its tail that is used to navigate and communicate with its own kind. National Geographic magazine reports that this fish also has a long trunk to sift through sediment at the bottom of the river in search of food.


Doubling fish, unlike most fish, can breathe air. They survive with little or no oxygen. During the dry season, they burrow into mud pits and become covered in mucus. The multi-feathers resemble ancient fish, "with lobed fins and a hard scaly coating."

The fish of the Congo River are able to adapt to their environment with incredible efficiency. Some hide from predators in water hyacanths that grow along the banks of the river, others live in partially submerged fallen trees.

However, some fishermen abuse fish or use methods that harm fish populations, such as killing vegetation along river banks with herbicides, explosives and poisons. This has led to a decline in some fish species, which, according to research carried out by the Congo River Conservation and Development Project (CREDP), threatens the diversity of the river's underwater world.

Currently, the Goliath fish is not under threat of extinction, but with the assistance of Animal Planet, it will bring much more attention to the region.

A total of 5 species of tiger fish are known, but the largest species lives in Africa, exclusively in the Congo basin. This predator can reach up to 180 centimeters in length and weigh over 50 kilograms.

Fisherman and expert on unusual freshwater fish Jeremy Wade managed to catch a giant specimen. He caught one of the largest specimens - weighing up to 154 pounds (about 70 kilograms) and up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) long.

The Goliath tigerfish is a popular sport fishing destination in Africa. Congo is the deepest and second longest river in Africa. The depth of the river in the vicinity of Brazzaville reaches 100 meters. The goliath tiger fish is the largest species of all tiger fish, and the structure of the jaws allows the tiger fish to open its mouth wider than any other predatory fish can afford. This feature makes the mouth even more intimidating, and the fish more attractive as a trophy.

Tiger fish are known in the aquarium hobby, they are kept in show aquariums with shelters and powerful filtration. The water temperature in the aquarium is 23 - 26 ° C, the pH of the water is 6.5 - 7.5.

It is extremely difficult to catch such fish, especially for an amateur, since they live in rather remote and inaccessible places of the Congo River, where the guide does not take you.

Keeping this fish is not just scary, he said. If you're not careful, she'll snatch your finger off or worse.



Clickable 1600 px


sources
ianimal.ru
torchu.ru
borshec.ru
zooeco.com
animalworld.com.ua

If you think that in freshwater reservoirs there are no fish more dangerous than a bloodthirsty piranha, then you are deeply mistaken. The goliath tiger fish belongs to the African tetras family. In this article, we will tell you about what this large predator looks like, what are the features of the structure of its body and behavior, and whether it is possible to catch it.

These river monsters - the goliath tiger fish - were first described in 1861. The predator was named after the biblical warrior, the hero Goliath. The golden shimmer of the scales, dark stripes on the sides and impressive size allow us to rightfully call it a tiger fish. But these are not all names for a creature with a frightening appearance. Quite common in Africa is the phrase hydrocin mbenga - this is how African fishermen call a predator.

It is a species of predatory and very large ray-finned fish that predominantly live in Central Africa. The Latin name can literally be translated as "giant water dog".

External features

The goliath fish (or large tiger fish) grows in length to one hundred and eighty centimeters and reaches a weight of fifty kilograms. The predator has sixteen teeth, very reminiscent of powerful fangs. With their help, the tiger fish (goliath) literally tears apart its prey. It is endowed with a huge mouth, and an elongated powerful body with small pointed fins is covered with large silvery scales, which sometimes cast golden. The monster has a lifespan of about fifteen years. Males are usually noticeably larger than females.

The goliath tiger fish is one of the scariest fish on the planet. Its appearance suggests that in front of you is a fierce and formidable predator with aggressive behavior. Outwardly, this fish bears some resemblance to another underwater predator - the piranha, which, fortunately, does not grow to such a frightening size.

Despite its not the most attractive appearance, the goliath tiger fish often becomes the subject of sport fishing, it is kept in zoos, in exhibition aquariums, in which a constant water temperature (not lower than +23 ° C) with powerful filtration is maintained. This fish is unpretentious in keeping.

Interestingly, the water dog is a double-breathing fish, unlike most species. She quite calmly tolerates the complete absence of oxygen. In dry seasons, it buries itself in mud pits and completely envelops the body in mud. These creatures can adapt with devastating efficiency to almost any conditions. Some representatives even live in trees that have fallen into the water.

Spreading

The goliath tiger fish lives in many freshwater bodies of the entire African continent, but it is most often found in Central Africa, in the Congo River. Unpleasant meetings with this "fish" are guaranteed to you in:

  • the Senegal River;
  • the Congo Basin;
  • Nile;
  • the Lualaba and Omo rivers;
  • lakes Tanganyika and Upemba.

Nutrition

The goliath tiger fish is a predator. An interesting fact: she often eats fish that does not exceed her size, does not refuse small animals that accidentally fell into the water. But the predator gives special preference to the kamba fish, which is a kind of dessert for him. At the same time, almost no victim will be able to hide from the tiger fish: the goliath is very strong and agile. As a rule, the monster swims against the current, eating less powerful fish in its path.

In addition, hydrocin is endowed with a lightning-fast reaction, so it manages to instantly respond to any movement nearby and feel the low-frequency vibrations that come from potential victims. According to local residents, this monster even attacks a crocodile! Along with this, the fish feels comfortable in waves, eating plant foods.

Features of behavior

Adult tiger fish (goliath) live in schools, and it is interesting that the schools can be related or mixed with other river predators. Goliath is insatiable and greedy. Cases of attacks of these giants on humans have been recorded, but, most likely, they were caused by a mistake or provocation on the part of the swimmers.

Scientists claim that the goliath is a contemporary of the dinosaurs. Proven fact: in the waters where this fish lives, there is a fierce struggle for survival in a certain area. In order to survive, the water dog eventually evolved into such a dangerous creature.

Reproduction

The breeding period of this huge underwater predator does not last very long - only a few days. This usually happens in December or January when the rainy season hits Africa. To lay eggs, the goliath migrates to smaller tributaries of rivers. The eggs are laid by the female in shallow waters rich in vegetation. The fry appear in well-warmed water and do not lack food at all. Grown up juveniles return to the rivers.

In captivity, tiger fish are usually kept in commercial aquariums, where predators do not grow as large as in natural conditions. On average, the length of the aquarium goliath ranges from fifty to seventy-five centimeters.

  • an aquarium with a volume of at least two and a half thousand liters;
  • a huge amount of food to feed this monster (usually fish, as well as adapted food);
  • a complex system with a channel (because of the love of these fish for a fast current);
  • constant water temperature (about +26 degrees).

It is possible to coexist with other species, mainly predators, which can repel the goliath. By the way, these fish do not breed in captivity.

Dangerous fishing

I must say that Europeans are very keen on sport fishing for exotic and sometimes dangerous fish. The Giant Water Dog is a common sight in Central Africa. It should be noted that local residents are also happy to join such an event.

The impressive size of this river monster makes fishing a rather difficult task: with its sharp fangs, the fish is able to bite into fishing line of any thickness. Therefore, even experienced fishermen use special steel leads that are highly durable.

In the "River Monsters" program, the tiger fish was presented as a terrible predator, bloodthirsty surpassing the Amazonian piranhas. But in the Congo Basin and Lake Tanganyika, these large freshwater inhabitants are valued as a fishing object.

The giant hydrocin, or goliath fish, belongs to the African tetras family, which are often kept in home aquariums. Tiger hydrocin differs from beautiful fish not only in size, but also in appearance. It is a large, mobile predator with an elongated, fusiform body and a large head with powerful jaws.

The entire surface of the body is covered with golden cycloidal scales. On the back, the shade becomes more saturated and turns brown. The belly is light, yellowish or white, with a silvery sheen.

Like all members of the family, at the beginning of the caudal peduncle there is a small adipose fin, reminiscent of that of salmon species. The dorsal fin is single, triangular, of medium size.

The head of a tiger fish is remarkable. It is about ¼ of the total body length, has elongated strong jaws and large conical teeth. The lower jaw protrudes slightly forward. The eyes are small, located in the upper part, there are no pharyngeal teeth, but the oral cavity has a hard surface.

Unusual fish pose a danger to the unwary fisherman and animals trying to swim across the river. They are not as aggressive as their South American cousins, the piranhas, but they are capable of inflicting serious injuries even on a large animal.

Maximum size and weight

The film crew of the River Monsters program traveled along the Congo River in Africa, waiting for a meeting with the largest individual of the Galiaf breed. The specimen caught by the leading J. Wade was called quite large by the locals: the length of the tiger hydrocin from the nose to the end of the caudal fin was 1.5 m.

The weight of the giant hydrocin was 70 kg. Scientists-ichthyologists call these parameters the maximum, even old fish rarely exceed such sizes.

Males of this hydrocine species are much larger than females. The sizes and weight of the latter rarely exceed 1 m and 40-50 kg. But even such a large fish becomes a good catch for local residents. The meat of a large tiger fish is sun-dried and lightly smoked.

Canine teeth

Of particular concern among Europeans, who first meet such representatives of the ichthyofauna, are caused by huge canines, because of which the fish was called tiger. They are located in 1 row along the edge of the powerful jaws, protrude forward and are framed by slightly thickened lips.

Sharp teeth are few in number, there are only 32 of them, but they reach a length of 3-5 cm (depending on the size of the specimen).

Combined with strong jaws, the mouthparts allow the tiger hydrocin to hunt objects of various sizes. The fish tears off pieces of meat and is able to bite off a person's finger.

Habitat

The area of ​​distribution of predatory fish is small. This species is endemic to the Congo River and its tributaries. Hydrocines are also found in lakes Tanganyika and Upemba, where they developed for a long time in isolation from other water bodies. It is impossible to meet them in the large rivers and lakes of Africa, except for those indicated above.

What does it eat?

In their habitats, large fish occupy the ecological niche of obligate predators. They do not eat plant food, do not collect bottom dwellers. The basis of the diet is fish fauna that lives in the water column.

River dwellers use an original way of hunting: a strong large goliath easily overcomes the current on the rapids, and the smaller species are carried by the current into the mouth of the predator.

The tiger goliath living in lakes is deprived of the possibility of such feeding behavior. Representatives of the species that live in calm waters are forced to actively hunt in pursuit of prey, as do predatory breeds of other lake fish (for example, pike or pike perch). When there is a shortage of food, they eat small hydrocines of their own or another type.

Locals report that large fish (locally called mbenga) attack even crocodiles. They react to a splash of water or movement of the victim, rushing at it with lightning speed.

Large tiger hydrocins are able to hunt even birds flying low over the water surface: with a strong throw, the fish jumps out 70-100 cm into the air in a gentle arc, grabbing the prey.

Fishermen from coastal villages catch mbenga with live bait, using small fish species as bait. The main object of prey is not too large specimens, but even such trophies are valued as a source of abundant food.

Sports hunting of tiger goliaths is carried out as entertainment for tourists, and the capture of the largest representatives of the species is considered a great success.

Breeding goliath

Sexual maturity in large tiger fish occurs at the age of 6-7 years. During the mating season, males become brighter than females: their pectoral and pelvic fins acquire an orange tint. There is practically no mating game: the females only slightly tilt the body when the male approaches.

Spawning begins in the morning, in early spring (March-April), when the water temperature fluctuates between + 26 ... + 28 ° С. Spawning is extended and lasts for several months (until mid-June).

The caviar has a medium stickiness, which makes it possible for the eggs to stay on the stones of the rifts of large rivers, where the tiger goliath fish, which lives in the channels, spawn. Lacustrine forms spawn in portions at a shallow depth (about 10 m), preferring stony ground at the bottom.

The number of eggs reaches 25-30 thousand. Parents do not care about the offspring, after spawning they return to a permanent way of life.

At a sufficiently high water temperature, the incubation of eggs lasts for several days (5-10 days). The larvae remain motionless for another 3-5 days, and then begin to swim on their own. During this period, they feed on plankton. As they grow, they begin to hunt for aquatic life with which they are able to cope, and weak fry of their own species.

Can tiger fish be kept in an aquarium?

Due to its large size, the adult goliath is not popular with aquarists. But hydrocines are placed in observation reservoirs of zoos or exhibitions of ichthyofauna.

When trying to keep young animals at home, it is advisable to provide shelters in which large tiger fish like to rest during quiet periods of their life.

The temperature in the aquarium should not be lower than + 26 ° C, the acidity of the medium (pH) is about 6-8 units. It is recommended to ensure good filtration and aeration of the water.

Hydrocins are fed only with animal food for predators, meat, fry of other fish, live bloodworms or earthworms. The size of the food organisms depends on the size of the fish.

The only representative will have to be kept in the aquarium: the goliath fish will quickly destroy peaceful neighbors, and in a small volume of water it will begin to compete with its congeners.

The African tetras family includes such a remarkable species as the large tiger fish. It is also called tiger fish goliath, tiger-goliath, giant hydrocin. Locals call this freshwater predator mbenga.

He lives in Central Africa. It is a vast area encompassing the Konko River and its tributaries. The largest of these is the Lualaba River. This water system also includes the world's longest freshwater lake Tanganyika and Lakes Wimba (Upemba) and Kisale.

In 2011, it was reported that there is not one species of tiger fish, but four more besides the known one. Two of them live in Tanganyika, and two in the Congo River. In principle, this can be allowed, since both the river and the lake are very deep, which is poorly studied. But all these types differ little from each other and only specialists can visually distinguish them from each other.

The appearance of large tiger fish is quite frightening. In length, an adult can reach 1.8 meters with a weight of 50 kg. In the large mouth, there are 32 teeth, which in appearance resemble canines. The teeth are separated from each other at a short distance, and this gives the mouth a somewhat unusual and eerie look.

With its sharp teeth, the river predator grabs the prey, tears it apart and swallows it without chewing, since its fanged mouth is not adapted for this. In place of a lost tooth, a new one grows very quickly, and this happens throughout life.

It should be noted that the large tiger fish has excellent eyesight, hearing and senses prey by high-frequency vibrations. There are rumors, not officially confirmed, that representatives of this species, if hungry, can attack crocodiles. Such information raises great doubts, but, in principle, if the reptile is sick and weak, it can be attacked.

The diet includes any fish that the Mbenga is able to conquer and swallow. A favorite hunting spot is the aquatic environment near the rapids. In such places, water vortices begin to affect the prey, and it becomes less attentive. Having found a prey, the freshwater predator rushes at it. If he does not succeed in immediately catching prey, then he pursues it.

There is a lot of information about the attack of large tiger fish on humans. They do attack swimmers from time to time and therefore have a reputation for bloodthirsty aggressors. Local residents have long ago endowed them with a mythical status. It is assumed that the mbenga attacks people only when an evil spirit living in the water infiltrates it. He enters the fish and submits it to his will.

Representatives of the species serve as an object of sport fishing in Central Africa. They are loved to be kept in show aquariums. But this is a difficult matter, since you need powerful filtration and a water temperature in the range from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius.