Hydrocynus tanzaniae

Hydrocynus tanzaniae
Young H. tanzaniae specimen roughly 5 in (13 cm) in length
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Alestidae
Genus: Hydrocynus
Species: H. tanzaniae
Binomial name
Hydrocynus tanzaniae
Bernice Brewster, 1986

Hydrocynus tanzaniae is a large African predatory freshwater fish.

Distribution

The eastward flowing rivers of Tanzania and in the Ruaha and Rufiji river systems.[1]

Description

Hydrocynus tanzaniae, the blue tigerfish, is a large, predatory fish. It has pronounced dentition similar to those found in Hydrocynus forskahlii.[1] The holotype was nine and a half inches long (247mm),[1] but specimens have been caught by fishermen greater than 27 inches (70 cm) and 25 pounds (11 kg).[2] At a given length, H. tanzaniae has a deeper body than either H. forskahlii or H. vittatus.[3] These fish are a silvery grey color[2] and often have pronounced stripes.[1][2] They often have markings in blue, black, pink, green and red,[2] making them among the more colorful of African tiger fish. Uniquely among the African tiger fish, they have a blue adipose fin[2] (other species have a black adipose fin).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 http://biostor.org/reference/32 page 201
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 http://www.tourettefishing.com/20pound.htm
  3. ↑ http://biostor.org/reference/32 page 199


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