Biology

Forms shoals. An open water predator often found near the water surface (Ref. 13337). Feeds on fishes, preferring long bodied fish as they are easier to swallow and also takes insects, grass and snails (Ref. 13337). Cannibalistic. Preyed upon by fish eagle Haliaeetus vocifer (Ref. 13337). Breeding migrations have been reported up several tributaries of Lake Kariba during the rains (Ref. 13337). Affinities: H. vittatus.