Home · Bedotiidae · Katrana
Katrana (Rheocles alaotrensis) — Bedotiidae

Katrana

Rheocles alaotrensis
Family: Bedotiidae
EN · Endangered

The Katrana (Rheocles alaotrensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Bedotiidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Madagascar; Lake Alaotra and adjacent river basins.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Want the complete picture on the Katrana?

Get the app

Description

The Alaotra rainbowfish is a Madagascar rainbowfish (Bedotiidae) endemic to Madagascar. The species is slender and silvery; males can show finer colours and coloured fin margins. It lives around Lake Alaotra and in adjacent drainages (including the Maningory, Rianila, Mangoro and Betsiboka). At and near the surface it feeds on small insects, insect larvae and small zooplankton. Through habitat loss and introduced species it has declined and is endangered. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Katrana?

The Katrana has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Endangered rainbowfish (IUCN EN), endemic to Madagascar around Lake Alaotra and adjacent river basins.

Where does the Katrana live?

The Katrana lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Endemic to Madagascar; Lake Alaotra and adjacent river basins.

How big does the Katrana get?

The Katrana grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Katrana dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Katrana edible?

The Katrana is rarely eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Katrana?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Katrana is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Katrana verified
Scientific name
Rheocles alaotrensis
Family
Bedotiidae
Other names
Katrana verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Madagascar; Lake Alaotra and adjacent river basins. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small insects, insect larvae and small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Endangered rainbowfish (IUCN EN), endemic to Madagascar around Lake Alaotra and adjacent river basins. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

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

More from the family Bedotiidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Katrana?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Katrana is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Katrana? Get the app