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Okavango robber (Rhabdalestes maunensis) — Alestidae

Okavango robber

Rhabdalestes maunensis
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Okavango robber (Rhabdalestes maunensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Africa; shallow vegetated bank areas and floodplains.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The slender robber is an African tetra (Alestidae) from southern Africa. The species is small, slender and silvery. It lives in schools in shallow, vegetated marginal and floodplain habitats and prefers swampy environments. At and near the surface it feeds on small insects, insect larvae and small zooplankton. It is a prey fish for larger species. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Okavango robber?

The Okavango robber has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender, schooling small tetra of vegetated swamps and floodplains.

Where does the Okavango robber live?

The Okavango robber lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Southern Africa; shallow vegetated bank areas and floodplains.

How big does the Okavango robber get?

The Okavango robber grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Okavango robber dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Okavango robber edible?

The Okavango robber is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Okavango robber verified
Scientific name
Rhabdalestes maunensis
Family
Alestidae
Other names
Slender robber verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 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
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Southern Africa; shallow vegetated bank areas and floodplains. 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
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Slender, schooling small tetra of vegetated swamps and floodplains. 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

Same genus Rhabdalestes

More from the family Alestidae

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