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Characin (Alestes baremoze) — Alestidae

Characin

Alestes baremoze
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Characin (Alestes baremoze) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 43 cm.

Length
43 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

Alestes baremoze is an African characin of the family Alestidae occurring in rivers and lakes of the Sahel and Northeast Africa, including the Nile, Lake Chad and the Niger. The species has a streamlined, silvery body and reaches about 43 cm. It is mainly diurnal and has a flexible diet: as plankton densities decline it shifts from zooplankton to benthos, detritus and aquatic plants. The species undertakes seasonal migrations during high and low water and is very important for commercial seine-net and gillnet fisheries.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Characin?

The Characin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Characin live?

The Characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Characin get?

The Characin grows to a maximum of about 43 cm.

Is the Characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Characin is harmless to humans.

Is the Characin edible?

Yes, the Characin is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nijl-zilverzalm sourced
English name
Characin verified
Scientific name
Alestes baremoze
Family
Alestidae
Other names
Egyptian robber; Silversides verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
43.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
6.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Alestes

More from the family Alestidae

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