Tigerfish

Diagnosis: large, predatory-looking species; very large mouth and big stout teeth; eye seems very small compared to scaled area of cheek beneath; upper surface of the tip of the premaxilla often extends almost horizontally for a considerable distance when viewed in profile (Ref. 55949).Description: very large head and mouth; lower jaw moderately to strongly protruding, with a prominent mental process; eyes small; cheek deep; teeth large, thick, fairly straight and widely-spaced; often only the tips of the teeth near the front of the jaw are visible when the mouth is closed (Ref. 55949).Coloration: body generally countershaded; belly, chin and gular region may be silvery-grey, white or yellow; adults of both sexes may have white, grey or orange/yellow pelvic fins, sometimes with black trailing edges; caudal fin dark grey to black, sometimes with white spots on the membranes; sometimes with white spots on the membranes of the soft dorsal fin (Ref. 55949).

Found in inshore reef and shelf zones, and offshore in the pelagic zone (Ref. 55949). Few specimens were collected near rocky shores. Occurs in small groups (Ref. 5595). Piscivorous (Ref. 5595, 55949). Female mouthbrooder (Ref. 55949).

aquarium: commercial

Rhamphochromis woodi is a species of piscivorous cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it prefers open waters at depths of from 8 to 121 metres (26 to 397 ft). This species can reach a length of 42 centimetres (17 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. The specific name honours Rodney C. Wood, whose collection of cichlids from Lake Malawi, which included the type of this species, was presented to the British Museum (Natural History).