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Hydrocynus

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Scientific name
  
Hydrocynus

Higher classification
  
Alestidae

Order
  
Characiformes

Family
  
Alestidae

Phylum
  
Chordata

Rank
  
Genus


Lower classifications
  
Hydrocynus goliath, Hydrocynus vittatus

Goliath african tiger fish hydrocynus goliath monsterfishkeepers com hd quality


Hydrocynus is a genus of large characin fish in the family Alestidae commonly called "tigerfish," endemic to the African continent. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek ὕδωρ ("water") + κύων ("dog"). (In fact, this fish is popularly referred to as poisson chien (dog fish) in French-speaking West Africa.) The genus contains five species, all popularly known as "African Tigerfish" for their fierce predatory behavior and other characteristics that make them excellent game fish. Hydrocynus are normally piscivorous but H. vittatus is the only freshwater fish proven to prey on birds in flight.

Contents

Hydrocynus httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

African tigerfish hydrocynus vittatus goliath hikari pellet feeding hd


Evolutionary history

Hydrocynus Hydrocynus brevis Wikipedia

The earliest fossils which have been identified as belonging to Hydrocynus are dated as Late Miocene, and have been found from the Chad, Maronga, Turkana and Semliki basins of northern and eastern Africa, in all of which Hydrocynus species still occur. The oldest lineage appears to be that of Hydrocynus goliath, while lineages of H. brevis and H. forskahlii diverged in the Late Miocene and Pliocene while the lineages which formed H. tanzaniae and the "vittatus complex" appear in the Pliocene.

Species

Five species of Hydrocynus tigerfish are currently recognised.

Hydrocynus African Tiger Fish Hydrocynus ID and Care Guide 23

  • Hydrocynus brevis (Günther, 1864) (Tigerfish)
  • Hydrocynus forskahlii (G. Cuvier, 1819) (Elongate tigerfish)
  • Hydrocynus goliath Boulenger, 1898 (Giant tigerfish)
  • Hydrocynus tanzaniae B. Brewster, 1986 (Blue tigerfish)
  • Hydrocynus vittatus Castelnau, 1861 (Striped tigerfish)

  • Hydrocynus African Tiger Fish Hydrocynus ID and Care Guide 23

    However, recent molecular analysis indicates that there may be up to five more unidentified cryptic species, although more study of ther ecology and behaviour is required. This study did not support the treatment of H. vittatus as a synonym of H. forskahlii.

    Economic importance

    Hydrocynus Hydrocynus species African Tiger Fish

    The different species tigerfish are among the most important and popular game fish species in Africa and as a result they are an important asset to the various tourist industries. They are also one of the most important components of commercial freshwater catches in Africa.

    Hydrocynus Hydrocynus goliath Boulenger 1898 Checklist View

    References

    Hydrocynus Wikipedia