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Redeye (Etrumeus whiteheadi) — Dussumieriidae

Redeye

Etrumeus whiteheadi
LC · Least Concern

The Redeye (Etrumeus whiteheadi) is a saltwater fish of the family Dussumieriidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–200 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Around southern Africa; inshore coastal waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

Whitehead's round herring is a round herring (Dussumieriidae) from the waters around southern Africa. The species has a slender, rounded, silvery body. It lives mainly inshore and forms schools, often together with the pilchard. It feeds by filtering zooplankton from the water with its gill rakers. It is an important prey fish and is fished commercially for human consumption. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redeye?

The Redeye has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Cylindrical silvery body; schooling round herring of southern Africa, commercially fished prey fish.

Where does the Redeye live?

The Redeye lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Around southern Africa; inshore coastal waters.

How big does the Redeye get?

The Redeye grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Redeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Redeye is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Redeye edible?

Yes, the Redeye is commonly eaten.

More photos

Redeye (Etrumeus whiteheadi) — Dussumieriidae — 2
Zinzi Somana (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Redeye (Etrumeus whiteheadi) — Dussumieriidae — 3
Zinzi Somana (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB

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All data

Identification

English name
Redeye verified
Scientific name
Etrumeus whiteheadi
Family
Dussumieriidae
Other names
Redeye roundherring; Round herring; Whitehead's round herring verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
200 verified
Natural range
Around southern Africa; inshore coastal waters.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, filter-feeding sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Cylindrical silvery body; schooling round herring of southern Africa, commercially fished prey fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Etrumeus

More from the family Dussumieriidae

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