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Pacific redfin (Tribolodon brandtii) — Cyprinidae

Pacific redfin

Tribolodon brandtii
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pacific redfin (Tribolodon brandtii) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia (Japan, Korea, China and the Russian Far East), in rivers and coastal water; many populations are anadromous and migrate between sea and river.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Pacific redfin is a robust cyprinid of the family Leuciscidae reaching about 40 cm and, exceptionally among cyprinids, able to live in the sea and tolerate the saltwater transition. The silvery-grey body develops several orange-red lengthwise stripes along the flank in the breeding season. The species comes from East Asia, from Japan to the Russian Far East, and lives in rivers and coastal water; many populations are anadromous and run up the river in spring to spawn on gravel bars. As an omnivore it eats insects, crustaceans, worms, algae and small fish. It is a common and valued sport and food fish in the region.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific redfin?

The Pacific redfin is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Robust cyprinid that migrates into the sea; develops orange-red longitudinal stripes along the flank during spawning.

Where does the Pacific redfin live?

The Pacific redfin lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. East Asia (Japan, Korea, China and the Russian Far East), in rivers and coastal water; many populations are anadromous and migrate between sea and river.

How big does the Pacific redfin get?

The Pacific redfin grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Pacific redfin dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Pacific redfin edible?

Yes, the Pacific redfin is commonly eaten.

More photos

Pacific redfin (Tribolodon brandtii) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — User:Evo60mlts (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Pacific redfin (Tribolodon brandtii) — Cyprinidae — 3
Krylenko VV (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Pacific redfin (Tribolodon brandtii) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ian B Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pacific redfin (Tribolodon brandtii) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Krylenko VV, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Pacific redfin verified
Scientific name
Tribolodon brandtii
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Far Eastern ide; Altai osman; Eastern redfin

Appearance

Size class
Medium
Max length (cm)
40 verified
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Natural range
East Asia (Japan, Korea, China and the Russian Far East), in rivers and coastal water; many populations are anadromous and migrate between sea and river. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Insects, crustaceans, worms, algae and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified
Seasonality
Anadromous populations migrate up the river in spring to spawn on gravel banks; the fish then turn orange-red. sourced
Special features
Robust cyprinid that migrates into the sea; develops orange-red longitudinal stripes along the flank during spawning. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Angling with bait or fly in rivers and river mouths; a prized sport fish in East Asia sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Tribolodon

More from the family Cyprinidae

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