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Redside robber (Brycinus rhodopleura) — Alestidae

Redside robber

Brycinus rhodopleura
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Redside robber (Brycinus rhodopleura) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The redside robber is an African characin of the family Alestidae from East Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with large scales and often a reddish tinge along the flank, to which the name refers. It occurs in lakes and rivers and stays in schools in open water. As an omnivore it feeds on insects, small invertebrates, seeds and plant matter. It is an active schooling fish. The species is eaten locally and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redside robber?

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

Where does the Redside robber live?

The Redside robber lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Redside robber get?

The Redside robber grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Redside robber dangerous to humans?

No, the Redside robber is harmless to humans.

Is the Redside robber edible?

Yes, the Redside robber is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodzij-Afrikatetra sourced
English name
Redside robber sourced
Scientific name
Brycinus rhodopleura
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 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
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. 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 Brycinus

More from the family Alestidae

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