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Striptail robber (Brycinus taeniurus) — Alestidae

Striptail robber

Brycinus taeniurus
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Striptail robber (Brycinus taeniurus) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Brycinus taeniurus is a small African characin of the family Alestidae from fresh water of West and Central Africa. The species has a streamlined, laterally compressed, silvery body with usually a dark stripe on the caudal fin, to which the name refers, and reaches only about 10 cm. It lives in schools in clear, flowing streams and rivers and feeds as an omnivore on small invertebrates, insects and plant matter. Owing to its small size the species is mainly an important prey for larger fishes and has no significant fishery value of its own.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striptail robber?

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

Where does the Striptail robber live?

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

How big does the Striptail robber get?

The Striptail robber grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Striptail robber dangerous to humans?

No, the Striptail robber is harmless to humans.

Is the Striptail robber edible?

The Striptail robber is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Streepstaart-zilverzalm sourced
English name
Striptail robber sourced
Scientific name
Brycinus taeniurus
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.8 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
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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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