SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

This is a common and abundant species, although locally depleted by heavy fishing pressure, it has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 65,026 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 136 km²and it is known from a large number of locations, it is therefor assessed as Least Concern nationally.

Distribution

Tigerfish have a tropical distribution, but some species, such as Hydrocynus vittatus ranges to the southern limit of the inter-tropical region and is found in South African waters. In South Africa, H. vittatus occurs in the Lowveld reaches of coastal systems north of the Phongolo River. The species was formerly been reported at altitudes greater than 300 m a.s.l in Mpumalanga and Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa and in Eswatini (Swaziland). Currently its distribution is restricted to the lower reaches of these rivers. In the Incomati River System, most historical records suggest that H. vittatus occurred up to the confluence of the Komati and Mlumati rivers, a distance of 50 km upstream from Komatipoort. However, some records suggested that this species might have occurred in the Komati River as far as Swaziland and higher up into the Mlumati River. From the literature it is evident that H. vittatus is marginal in terms of their distribution in South Africa (Roux 2013). It has also been recorded in most of sub-Saharan Africa from the Senegal, Niger, Shari-Lake Chad and Nile systems in the north, to the Congo and Lake Tanganyika, the Zambezi and Okavango (but not the Kafue or Lake Malawi), south to the Save, Limpopo and Phongolo systems (Skelton 2001).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

Hydrocynus vittatus is marginal in terms of their distribution in South Africa. It appears that limited available habitat and water temperature regimes govern their longitudinal distribution within east flowing rivers in South Africa. The species is common and widespread in its global range. In Lake Kariba on the Middle Zambezi River, its population fluctuates considerably, mostly in relation to the abundance of the introduced Lake Tanganyika sardine (Limnothrissa miodon) which now forms a major part of its diet (Kenmuir 1973).

Threats

Hydrocynus vittatus have declined in some rivers in southern Africa due to pollution, water abstraction and obstructions such as dams and weirs that prevent passage. Unregulated gillnet fisheries locally threaten the species.

Uses and trade

This species is harvested for human consumption (Eccles 1992).

Conservation

Protected in some reserves in South Africa. Successfully artificially bred in captivity (Skelton 2001). Management of local gillnet fisheries is needed in many riverine fisheries and construction of fishways around weirs and dams.

References

[@article{18475,
 author = {Skelton, P.H.},
 title = {A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa},
 year = {2001}
}
,@techreport{60376,
 address = {Rome},
 author = {Eccles, D.H},
 institution = {Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations},
 title = {FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of Tanzania},
 year = {1992}
}
,@phdthesis{181744,
 author = {Roux, F. },
 school = {University of Johannesburg},
 title = {A study on the behaviour of tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) using biotelemetry to determine habitat utilisation and survival strategies in the Lower Inkomati River System. PhD thesis},
 year = {2013}
}
,@book{181744,
 address = {Manchester},
 author = {Jackson, P.B.N},
 publisher = {Manchester University Press},
 title = {Kariba Studies, Icthyology: The fish of the Middle Zambezi},
 year = {1961}
}
,@article{181744,
 author = {Kenmuir, D.H.},
 journal = {Occasional Papers of the National Museums of southern Rhodesia.},
 number = {3},
 pages = {115--170},
 title = {The ecology of the tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus Castelnau in Lake Kariba},
 volume = {B5},
 year = {1973}
}
,@electronic{181744,
 address = {http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp},
 author = {Eschmeyer, W.N., Fricke, R. and Van der Laan, R. (eds)},
 publisher = {California Academy of Sciences},
 title = {Catalog of Fishes: genera, species, references. Updated 2 August 2016},
 year = {2016}
}
,]

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Red List of South African Species