| Hydrocynus | |
|---|---|
| Small H. vittatus specimen from the upper Zambezi |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Alestidae |
| Genus: | Hydrocynus Cuvier, 1816 |
| Species | |
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See text |
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Hydrocynus is a fish genus in the family Alestidae, a family from the order Characiformes, endemic to the African continent. The name is derived from the Greek hydro ("water") + kyon ("dog"). The genus contains six[1] species, all popularly known as "African Tigerfish" for their fierce predatory behavior and other characteristics that make them excellent game fish.[2]