African Rock Python vs. Goliath Tigerfish

[dinosauria101]

African Rock Python - Python sebae

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Python_natalensis_G._J._Alexander.JPG/640px-Python_natalensis_G._J._Alexander.JPG

Order: Serpentes
Family: Boidae
Length: 3.3 meters
Mass: 50 kg
Diet: Mammals and reptiles
Killing apparatus: Clamping jaws, constriction
One of the largest of African snakes. Has been known to kill very big antelope.

Goliath Tigerfish - Hydrocynus goliath

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Hydrocynus_goliath.jpg/1280px-Hydrocynus_goliath.jpg

Order: Characiformes
Family: Alestidae
Length: 1.5 meters
Mass: 50 kg
Diet: Fish and small animals
Killing apparatus: Slicing jaws
Very popular among sport fishermen. Able to catch birds in midair.

NOTE: I know this may seem a bit of an odd fight but pythons are good swimmers.

[6f5e4d]

This fight is complicated, since both are at the same weight, but the African rock python can still win because its longer and can coil an opponent before the jaws of the goliath tigerfish can dispatch it.

[dinosauria101]

It is certainly a complicated fight. And very very close.

I think this is probably a draw. Tigerfish have extremely lethal bites (large, sharp teeth and a wide gape) but rock pythons are decwently impressive and durable. Tigerfish are very fast, agile, and athletic, but pythons strike quickly. The tigerfish cannot escape constriction but the python has to breathe air.

This probably depends overall on how agile the tigerfish is and if it can get in enough bites before being grabbed and coiled.

[Deleted]

In the water, the tigerfish is a lot more manueverable, it will win quite easily. Pythons are rather slow swimmers and they swim fully stretched out leaving the entire body as a vulnerability.

[dinosauria101]

Aren't some python species, with similar morphology to the ARP, quite aquatic?

Maybe I'm thinking of anacondas

[Deleted]

Aquatic as in the like soaking in water lying in wait for animals that may want a drink, yes. But aquatic enough to chase a goliath tigerfish, nope. Even anacondas barely eat fish, much less a fish as formidable as a goliath tigerfish.

[dinosauria101]

Perhaps shallower water would be a closer match - deep enough for the tigerfish to swim but not so deep as to immobilize the python

[Ceratodromeus]

but....why