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Lahontan redside (Richardsonius egregius) — Cyprinidae

Lahontan redside

Richardsonius egregius
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Lahontan redside (Richardsonius egregius) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western US
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Lahontan redside is a small cyprinid from the Lahontan basin in Nevada and California in the western United States. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a dark dorsal stripe and, in breeding individuals, a red to orange band along the flank. It forms schools in lakes and clear streams and feeds on insects, small crustaceans and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lahontan redside?

The Lahontan redside has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Fish in breeding condition with a red flank band; small schooling catfish

Where does the Lahontan redside live?

The Lahontan redside lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Western US

How big does the Lahontan redside get?

The Lahontan redside grows to a maximum of about 17 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Lahontan redside dangerous to humans?

No, the Lahontan redside is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Lahontan redside edible?

The Lahontan redside is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Lahontan redside verified
Scientific name
Richardsonius egregius
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Western US verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, small crustaceans and algae inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
5.0 verified
Seasonality
Schooling small mountain-lake fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Fish in breeding condition with a red flank band; small schooling catfish sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Richardsonius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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