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Email: simon@rodger.biz
Tel: +27826950024 / +258860651068
Tete province, Mozambique
NEWSLETTER
Anti-poaching, hunting, and community updates
3 April 2023
The tigerfish is a predatory fish species that is found in various rivers and lakes in Africa, and we are fortunate to have these fish in our area. Key to the conservation of this species, is understanding their breeding cycle. Here is some interesting information about the reproductive biology of Hydrocynus vittatus, the Zambezi tigerfish.
The breeding cycle of tigerfish begins with the onset of the rainy season, typically from November to March, when water levels in the rivers and lakes start to rise. This increase in water level triggers the migration of adult tigerfish from their feeding grounds to the shallow waters of the rivers or lake shores.
During the breeding season, the male tigerfish establishes a territory and builds a nest on the riverbed or lake bottom by clearing a circular area of debris and sand using his fins and mouth. The male then waits for a female to approach his territory to lay her eggs. The male will court the female by displaying his vibrant colors and fins and will lead her to his nest.
The female tigerfish will then lay her eggs in the nest, which the male fertilizes. The female can lay anywhere from 1,000 to 20,000 eggs, depending on her size and age. The male will then guard the nest fiercely, chasing away any potential predators that may try to eat the eggs.
The eggs of the tigerfish hatch within two to three days, and the fry emerge from the nest. The fry are initially small and feed on zooplankton until they are large enough to consume small fish and insects. The young tigerfish grow rapidly and will reach sexual maturity within two to three years.
The breeding cycle of the tigerfish is closely linked to the seasonal changes in the environment, particularly the rise and fall of water levels in rivers and lakes. The tigerfish's ability to adapt to these changes and migrate to suitable breeding grounds is essential for the survival of the species.
References:
Lemaire, C., & O'Brien, G. C. (2013). Reproductive biology of tigerfish, Hydrocynus vittatus, from the Okavango Delta, Botswana. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 38(1), 37-44. https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2012.754557
Maes, G. E., Volckaert, F. A. M., & Raeymaekers, J. A. M. (2003). Gene flow in the African tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus): evidence from microsatellite DNA analysis. Molecular Ecology, 12(7), 1973-1982. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-294X.2003.01877.x
Skelton, P. H. (1993). Life-history strategies and reproductive biology of freshwater fishes in South Africa. Journal of Fish Biology, 43(Suppl. A), 87-107. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1993.tb00496.x
Email: simon@rodger.biz
Tel: +27826950024 / +258860651068
Tete province, Mozambique
Anti-poaching, hunting, and community updates