Hydrocynus tanzaniae, the blue tigerfish, is a large African predatory freshwater fish.

Hydrocynus tanzaniae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Alestidae
Genus: Hydrocynus
Species:
H. tanzaniae
Binomial name
Hydrocynus tanzaniae
Brewster, 1986

Distribution

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The eastward flowing rivers of Tanzania and in the Ruaha and Rufiji river systems.[2]

Description

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Hydrocynus tanzaniae is a large, predatory fish. It has pronounced dentition similar to those found in Hydrocynus forskahlii.[2] The holotype was nine and a half inches long (247mm),[2] but specimens have been caught by fishermen greater than 27 inches (70 cm) and 25 pounds (11 kg).[3] At a given length, H. tanzaniae has a deeper body than either H. forskahlii or H. vittatus.[4] These fish are a silvery grey color[3] and often have pronounced stripes.[2][3] They often have markings in blue, black, pink, green and red,[3] making them among the more colorful of African tiger fish. Uniquely among the African tiger fish, they have a blue adipose fin[3] (other species have a black adipose fin).

References

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  1. ^ Hanssens, M.; Snoeks, J. (2010). "Hydrocynus tanzaniae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T182547A7910342. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182547A7910342.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d http://biostor.org/reference/32 page 201
  3. ^ a b c d e "Tourette Fishing - Try fight it in Africa!". Archived from the original on 28 August 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  4. ^ http://biostor.org/reference/32 page 199
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