Home · Atherinopsidae · Silverside
Silverside (Odontesthes brevianalis) — Atherinopsidae

Silverside

Odontesthes brevianalis

The Silverside (Odontesthes brevianalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Atherinopsidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The silverside is a silverside (Atherinopsidae) from the southeastern Pacific off the coast of Chile. The species has a slender, silvery body with a bright lengthwise stripe along the flank and two separate dorsal fins. It lives in schools in coastal waters and estuaries. As a planktivore it feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. It is a prey fish for larger predators and is fished locally. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silverside?

The Silverside has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Silverside live?

The Silverside lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Silverside get?

The Silverside grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Silverside dangerous to humans?

No, the Silverside is harmless to humans.

Is the Silverside edible?

Yes, the Silverside is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortaars-koornaarvis sourced
English name
Silverside sourced
Scientific name
Odontesthes brevianalis
Family
Atherinopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Odontesthes

More from the family Atherinopsidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →