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African Tiger FishTiger Fish ~ Tiger Characin ~ African TigerfishFamily: Alestiidae Hydrocynus vittatusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken ChildsLatest Reader Comment - See More This page states that they need a 1,000 gallon aquarium. What are the dimensions of this aquarium?
bill Although the African Tiger Fish is a characin, it certainly is not your typical tetra!African Tiger Fish Contents The unusual looking African Tiger Fish grows to an impressive size and is definitely a specialty fish. With a maximum size of 3-1/2 feet and over 60 pounds, this limits who will able to keep one as they would need an aquarium upwards of a 1000 gallons. This fish is best suited for a public aquarium. One look at those teeth lets you know that the African Tiger Fish is a voracious predator. They are related to the Piranha, but get much larger. They can use those huge teeth to chop large fish into bite sized pieces. So even large tank mates can be at risk unless the Tiger Fish are kept extremely well fed. There isn't much that can be kept with them, as tank mates really need to be appreciably larger species. This isn't so much a problem with them being aggressive, just having a very hearty appetite. They will school and do well in a species tank.
For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The African Tiger Fish, also known as the Tiger Characin, was described by Castelnau in 1861. They are found in rivers and lakes throughout many parts of Africa. They will swim in schools with other similar sized fish while preying on food.
- Scientific Name: Hydrocynus vittatus
- Social Grouping: Solitary - Due to their large size these fish are usually kept in species aquariums although more than one can be kept if the aquarium is large enough.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
The African Tiger Fish is an elongated slender fish with a forked caudal fin. It has large iridescent silvery scales, sometimes with a golden cast. The teeth are always visible and are very large and sharp.
- Maximum Size: 42.0 inches (106.68 cm) - These fish get up to 3½ feet (105 cm) and weigh up to 62 pounds (28 kg).
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Advanced - This fish grows to 3.5 feet in length and would require a tank upwards of 1000 gallons making it certainly not suitable for the average hobbyist.
Despite their large teeth, these fish are actually omnivores in the wild and will consume everything, including detritus and plant matter. When initially introduced into the aquarium they will readily eat live foods, but once they have acclimated they can be offered frozen foods as well a pellet diet. It has been reported that they will ignore prepared foods however, when there is live food available.
Because of their large adult size, and their propensity for schooling with other similar sized fish, they need a very large aquarium. If you have a 1000+ gallon tank at you disposal, they are relatively easy to keep. They need a spacious open area for swimming, but also a decor of plants, roots, and driftwood to provide them with some hiding places. They need clean water, so good filtration is important.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: No
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet - These fish may not accept processed foods at first but will usually adapt to them with time.
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly
- Minimum Tank Size: 1,000 gal (3,785 L)
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 72.0 - 82.0° F (22.2 - 27.8° C)
- Range ph: - No information available.
- Hardness Range: - No information available.
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: All
They are not necessarily aggressive but they do have a big appetite so there isn't much that can survive in a tank with them. This species will do best kept a species tank, or with other similar sized non-territorial species.
- Temperament: Large Aggressive - Predatory - This fish is more predatory than aggressive however tankmates would need to be significantly greater in size.
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe - Tankmates should be similarly sized as to avoid becoming a meal.
- Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
Males are larger and fuller than the females.
The African Tiger Fish has not been bred in captivity. Presumably it would be very difficult to impossible as in nature they spawn during the rainy season. See the general description of how to breed Characins in Breeding Freshwater Fish.
- Ease of Breeding: Unknown - This fish has never been bred in captivity.
The African Tiger Fish or Tiger Characin are occasionally available but usually come with a very high price tag. Even though they aren't considered rare, like many fish that get huge, they are expensive when they are small because they are small for such a short period of time.
The African Tiger Fish is primarily a game fish and food fish. They can't be shipped into Florida, as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has restrictions placed upon the transport or handling of certain species, this being one.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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