The specific name odoe is the local name for this species in Guinea, which appears to refer to its manu teeth.

[9] Hepsetus odoe is an elongated fish with a pike-like body, however this species is a characin and the pike resemblance is due to convergent evolution.

The nest breaks up about four days afterwards and the juveniles disperse to live in well-vegetated marginal habitats.

It is mainly diurnal and is an ambush predator, waiting among dense submerged or emergent vegetation until prey comes within range and the fish can lunge at it.

[10] Hepsetus odoe prefers the upper courses of small rivers where the elongate tigerfish (Hydrocynus forskahlii) is absent or less abundant.