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Atlantic rover (Erythrocles monodi) — Emmelichthyidae

Atlantic rover

Erythrocles monodi

The Atlantic rover (Erythrocles monodi) is a saltwater fish of the family Emmelichthyidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
90.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Atlantic rover is a slender, red-silver fish of the family Emmelichthyidae (rovers) reaching about 65 cm. The streamlined body is red to pink-silver and ends in a deeply forked tail; the mouth is far-protrusible. Unlike many bottom fish it swims in schools in open water, above rocky bottoms of the deeper continental shelf off West Africa and the Macaronesian islands. In the water column it feeds on zooplankton, small crustaceans and small fish, which it sucks in with its protrusible mouth. With its tasty flesh it is landed by line and bottom fisheries and traded locally.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atlantic rover?

The Atlantic rover has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Atlantic rover live?

The Atlantic rover lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Atlantic rover get?

The Atlantic rover grows to a maximum of about 65 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Atlantic rover dangerous to humans?

No, the Atlantic rover is harmless to humans.

Is the Atlantic rover edible?

Yes, the Atlantic rover is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Atlantische zwaardstaart-baars inferred
English name
Atlantic rover verified
Scientific name
Erythrocles monodi
Family
Emmelichthyidae
Other names
Crimson rover verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped verified
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Min depth (m)
90.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Erythrocles

More from the family Emmelichthyidae

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