Tigerfish (Hydrocynus brevis)

[epaiva]

They are not as big as other African Tigerfish with a maximum length of 86 cm and a maximum weight of 8,3 kgs. This species has a wide distribution found from Senegal to Ethiopia, throughout the Nile. In northeast from Ghazal and Jebel sistema in Sudán as well as Baro river in Ethiopia. In Western Africa it is known from Chad Niger Senegal and Gambia.
It feeds mainly on fish and shrimps.
Pictures taken from the book Tigerfish (M. Sid Kelly)

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*This image is copyright of its original author

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[epaiva]

Credit to @warheadwaterwolf

*This image is copyright of its original author

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[epaiva]

*This image is copyright of its original author

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[epaiva]

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[epaiva]

Here we have a short HD video showing the jaw motions of the elongate tigerfish (Hydrocynus forskahlii). This specimen was collected from Lake Nasser, Egypt in January 2011. Current research in my lab at American University in Cairo is investigating the functional morphology of the elongate tigerfish's bite mechanics. Tigerfishes are endemic to Africa's rivers and lakes. They are also members of the Order Characiformes and as such are related to the piranhas, pacus, and vampirefishes of South America. What's notable about tigerfishes is that unlike their south american relatives that have immobile upper jaws, the tigerfish upper jaw goes through a substantial dorsal rotation (approx. 30 degrees). This rotation in combination with extensive lower jaw depression gives the tigerfish a large gape that also acts to point their razor sharp teeth in a forward orientation which presumably helps them to impale their prey during a rapid ram strike. Also, note how as the jaw closes the teeth interdigitate into semi-enclosed sockets on the opposing jaw. This interlocking beartrap-like bite enables them to chomp small fish prey into pieces and even cut chunks of flesh out of larger prey. If you want to learn more, this species is highlighted in the National Geographic Channel's Hooked: Lake Monsters (in the U.S.) & Hooked: Nile Giant (Internationally).

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