@AlucarDraculA:
it was shown in the flashback that his was the strongest of the fishman district at one point.
Where was it shown?
I remember him being highly admired and respected, and a good man who would try to do the right thing, but I don't recall anything about him being super strong or the superior of all fishmen. Skimming through the 3 chapters of flashback that he's in again, I don't see him doing anything that special. Jinbe and Arlong both work under him… but he's older than them all, they see him as a big brother because they grew up in the orphanage together and he was the eldest.
Arlong way way younger than him, so it was pure growing up together respect that kept him in line (and only barely...but it was always Jinbe or Hachi holding him back. Tiger never did anything physical.)
Tiger had adventures and was famous as such. And when word came down that the military was after him, all his little brothers reunited to join his crew and work with him. But aside from being an adventurer, there's nothing indicating he was a powerhouse beyond typical fishmen standards (10x stronger than human, and nearly unstoppable underwater.) We never see him in action.
We HEAR about him taking on the celestial dragons and climbing the red line, but that's entirely heresay...most of it coming from frightened hero-worshipping children like Hancock and Hody. We don't see any of it, or how he did it, or any of the circumstances leading up to it. Just sort of implied that he ended up in slavery himself and then... went out and did stuff. Sneaking into a place and creating a riot by freeing all the prisoners in the night is different than calling out and punching a noble directly in the face (like Luffy did). Climbed a mountain with his bare hands? So did Luffy back when he was much weaker, in freezing cold, carrying two people on his back.
Impressive demonstrations of character, sure. Not impressive demonstrations of strength that make him the superior of all fishmen.
Otohime carried the same kind of respect, and she was super weak. The King and his sons were praised as being super strong, and they kind of sucked. If anything, Jinbe and Hody are the standouts, having risen in ranks in the royal army.