The word “tigerfish” describes a few distinct species of fish found widely throughout Africa. Tiger fish are silver-bodied, often with thin black stripes running horizontally down the body and a bright red caudal fin. They have sharp, pointed teeth that are visually similar to those of piranhas.
Young tigerfish will live and hunt in schools, but older and larger tigerfish are solitary. The tigerfish generally catch and eat other fish, but these fish are also capable of catching birds in flight!
The tigerfish is the only recorded fish ever to catch birds in flight. In 2014 researchers documented seeing tigerfish catch as many as 20 birds every day that they observed the lakes that the tigerfish can inhabit.
Tigerfish have very strong, muscular bodies that help them swim with incredible speed, and make them capable of jumping out of the water. Fish with the common “torpedo” shape are often very streamlined and excellent swimmers. Tuna and swordfish are also torpedo-shaped, and known for their swimming speed.
