Taming the giant, razor-toothed tigerfish in Africa.

One of the most ferocious ‘freshwater monsters’ in the world is the Goliath Tigerfish. They usually inhabit the Congo River basin, the Lualaba River, Lake Upemba, and Lake Tanganyika in Africa.

The gigantic Goliath Tigerfish is a giant member of the infamous flesh-eating fish family, the Piranha. This species is considered one of the most ferocious freshwater fish on the planet and is often labeled as a monster in the Congo River basin, Lualaba River, Lake Upemba, and Lake Tanganyika in Africa.

It’s the largest member of the Tigerfish family, a predatory animal with strong jaws and razor-sharp teeth. Its teeth interlock like scissors. The Goliath Tigerfish is a voracious carnivore that thrives in dark waters.

A Goliath Tigerfish can grow up to 1.8 meters in length, and the recorded weight is currently 70 kg (154 pounds). Aside from its terrifying appearance, these Goliath Tigerfish surpass other counterparts in Africa in terms of both speed and strength.

Fishing enthusiasts are passionate about catching this enormous species. Therefore, they travel from Europe to Africa, seeking rivers where these fish reside to hunt the Goliath Tigerfish. If an angler catches a massive Goliath Tigerfish, they swiftly gain fame and accolades in fishing forums.

With their sharp teeth capable of deep bites, these fish can tear large pieces of meat. As a result, fishermen usually don’t use their hands to catch them when they’ve hooked a Tigerfish but instead use a hook on its jaws before pulling it to shore.

Crocodiles are known as the most ferocious underwater creatures with their large bodies but often fall victim to these giant Tigerfish. There have been witnessed cases of a 2-ton crocodile being devoured by a 50 kg Goliath Tigerfish. They are incredibly cunning. The most effective way to catch them is by angling, yet it is immensely challenging.

Despite being ferocious, they seldom attack humans. However, when human remains are found floating in rivers with Goliath Tigerfish, they’re often no longer intact. Goliath Tigerfish have excellent eyesight, allowing them to efficiently hunt in dark and swift waters. They usually lurk alone in dark waters and ambush their prey suddenly.

In strong flowing waters, when prey is struggling against the current, the giant Tigerfish remains calm, swimming around, selecting an appropriate position, and then launching a lightning-fast attack. Its strike can rip the prey apart in an instant.

On African rivers, especially in the Congo, if half a carcass is found floating with jagged cuts, it is precisely due to an attack by a Goliath Tigerfish. It tears the prey in half and leaves the other part for others to feast upon. The exact lifespan of the Goliath Tigerfish in the wild is not definitively known, but according to some researchers, it can last around 10 to 15 years under good captive conditions.