Goliath Tiger Fish Characteristics

The Goliath tiger fish is aptly named. Large, fast and bearing a ferocious toothy mouth, the Goliath tiger fish is the largest of the tiger fish family. The Goliath tiger fish is a popular game fish among brave fishermen who are willing to wrest this frightening and strong fish from the waters.

  1. Appearance

    • This fish lives up to his Goliath name, growing to 5 feet long and weighing in at 150 pounds. That means this fish is essentially as large as fully grown human. The Goliath tiger fish's body is mostly olive green, with a silvery-white underside. The Goliath tiger has a large, forked tail. His 32 razor-sharp teeth are each up to an inch long, reminiscent of a shark or crocodile's.

    Habitat

    • The Goliath tiger fish is native to the Congo River basin, making himself at home in Lake Upemba, Lake Tanganyika and the Lualaba River. The Congo River is the deepest river on Earth, reaching depths of 750 feet. Muscular and strong, the Goliath tiger fish has no problem moving through fast-moving currents.

    Diet

    • If the terrifying teeth didn̵7;t give his feeding habits away, the Goliath tiger fish is a carnivore. He will eat any fish he can catch, which are most other fish in his environment. It can easily consume fish its own size, going after large catfish and even small crocodiles.

    Hunting

    • The Goliath tiger fish uses his ability to swim in strong turbulent waters to his advantage. Other fish will struggle and tire while trying to swim through strong currents, and the Goliath tiger fish will target these vulnerable fish. The Goliath tiger fish has a drumlike air sac that allows him to feel vibrations from potential prey around him. Once the Goliath tiger is aware of a meal, he uses his superb vision and speed to ambush his next meal.

    Fish Family

    • Tiger fish belong to genus Hydrocynus, which literally means water dog. Five Hydrocynus species exist, and the Goliath tiger fish is the largest. The second largest of the group, the common tiger fish, is kept in captivity -- in a huge tank: They can grow more than 2 feet long and weigh 100 pounds. All tiger fish have full sets of sharp teeth.

    Game Fish

    • The International Game Fish Association classifies the Goliath tiger fish as a game fish. The Goliath is popular among adventurous anglers. The fish will go after anything that moves, so live bait or lures can be used to catch him. The Goliath tiger can be a strong fighter, so heavy-duty gear and a lot of patience are required for angling for it.