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Slender robber (Rhabdalestes rhodesiensis) — Alestidae

Slender robber

Rhabdalestes rhodesiensis
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Slender robber (Rhabdalestes rhodesiensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Zambezi robber is a small African characin of the family Alestidae from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to only about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body with large scales, characteristic of the African tetras. It lives in schools in clear, flowing rivers and brooks and is an omnivore feeding on small invertebrates, insects and plant matter at and near the water surface. As a small schooling fish it is prey for larger fishes. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender robber?

The Slender robber has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Slender robber live?

The Slender robber lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Slender robber get?

The Slender robber grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Slender robber dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender robber is harmless to humans.

Is the Slender robber edible?

The Slender robber is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zambezi-tetra sourced
English name
Slender robber verified
Scientific name
Rhabdalestes rhodesiensis
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Rhabdalestes

More from the family Alestidae

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