Description of the goliath slave as a species, habitat and appearance of the fish

The intimidating appearance of this fish inspires fear not only among the locals. But also for any sane person. Under the description, this fish first came in 1861. They named the fish in honor of the huge warrior Goliath from the Bible. Dark stripes on the sides, and often a golden sheen and size give rise to the name Tigerfish. Locals call this fish with silvery scales mbenga.

External Description

Fishing for such a predator definitely cannot be called a quiet hunt. Few intrepid anglers and thrill-seekers can boast such prey.

It lives among similar predators, and both for protection and for food it has huge fangs. Fangs complicate the hunt for this predator, it gnaws or simply tears any fishing line. To solve this problem, a thin steel line is usually used. Only with such a strong fishing line is it really possible to catch this freshwater monster. The number of fangs in an adult is 16, small in number, but powerful in action, they tear the victim quickly and easily. Throughout life, fangs can fall out, and new, sharp ones grow in their place.

They inspire the size of the fish: the length reaches 180 cm, and the weight more than 50 kg. But scientists suggest that the length can reach 2 meters. Goliath has a powerful body and a strong head. Although the fish is large, it is quite agile and fast. The pointed fins are either orange or red. The scales are difficult to break through, this is an excellent defense against other predators. The mouth opens wider than other predatory underwater inhabitants, and this gives more chances to win when attacked. There are five types of tiger fish, and the goliath is considered the largest. Often the monster is compared to a piranha, but the piranha does not reach such a huge size.

Food

There were cases attacks on crocodiles. It can eat an animal or a person that has fallen into the water. Typically, a predator feeds on smaller organisms. Goliath either hunts for prey, or catches weak fish that can not cope with the turbulent current. The main food is kamba. The ability to capture low-frequency vibrations does not bode well for mining. In other words, if the predator has heard the vibrations and is hungry, there is no chance of salvation. But such ferocity does not guarantee a complete rejection of plant foods.

Habitat

For the sake of such prey, you will have to go to central Africa, or rather, to the Congo River basin, where there are the largest number of them. The Congo itself is the second longest river in the world. As for fullness, the river takes first place. Fishing is flourishing here, because not only Goliath, but also many other fish swim in the Congo basin. Many are listed in the Red Book and, accordingly, are considered very rare. Scientists have a little less than a thousand species living in this river. Such a catch can be a reward for searching and catching for several weeks.

Main habitats:

• the Omo river;
• Cheba river;
• Lualaba river;
• the Senegal river;
• the river Nile;
• Lake Tanganyika.

Basically, in the places listed, it can be found, but this creature does not swim outside the continent of Africa.

Life span is 12-15 years. Females spawn for several days, this occurs in December-January. The fish first swim in the tributaries of the river. Spawning occurs in shallow water and in places with high vegetation. The fry grow just in places with enough food and without blades from most predators. And gradually gaining strength and weight, they are carried by the current to deeper places.

Content in captivity

In captivity, goliaths are kept mainly in commercial aquariums. In them, the fish do not reach such large sizes. On average, the length of an aquarium dweller fluctuates from 50 to 75 centimeters. Mostly they can be seen in exhibition aquariums. The main rules for content are:

• the presence of an aquarium (at least 2 liters);
• to feed the tiger fish you need a constant huge amount of food. This is mainly fish and adapted feed;
• because of the love of the flow, you will need to come up with a system with a duct;
• comfortable temperature is 23-26 degrees.

Coexistence with other species is possible but they must be able to defend themselves. In captivity, fish do not breed, so this issue will also have to be considered.

survival in nature

Adult individuals, despite the fact that they can fully exist on their own, prefer to gather in flocks. Tiger fish can be collected as one species, and with other individuals.

Scientists believe Goliath is a contemporary of dinosaurs. The fact is, in the waters where the goliath lives, there is a huge rivalry for survival. And for the sake of life, the goliath evolved into such a dangerous creature. But not only other predators should be afraid of tiger fish. Wide fishing in catching fish gives less and less chance of continuing existence. In addition to fishing, some people use chemicals to destroy vegetation near the banks of the river for the sake of the catch. On future fry, respectively, this affects negatively. At the moment, environmentalists with the local government are trying to solve this problem.