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Silver brycon (Brycon alburnus) — Bryconidae

Silver brycon

Brycon alburnus
Family: Bryconidae

The Silver brycon (Brycon alburnus) is a freshwater fish of the family Bryconidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
32.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Ecuador
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Silver brycon is a South American characin (Bryconidae) from fresh water of the Pacific slope of northwestern South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with large scales and a terminal mouth with sharp teeth. As a fast, schooling fish it swims in flowing rivers and eats insects, fruit, seeds and smaller fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silver brycon?

The Silver brycon has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Silver brycon live?

The Silver brycon lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Ecuador

How big does the Silver brycon get?

The Silver brycon grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Silver brycon dangerous to humans?

No, the Silver brycon 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 Silver brycon edible?

Yes, the Silver brycon is commonly eaten.

More photos

Silver brycon (Brycon alburnus) — Bryconidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Silver brycon (Brycon alburnus) — Bryconidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Edgar Segovia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Silver brycon (Brycon alburnus) — Bryconidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Silver brycon (Brycon alburnus) — Bryconidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Prefectura del Guayas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Silver brycon sourced
Scientific name
Brycon alburnus
Family
Bryconidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: Ecuador sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Brycon

More from the family Bryconidae

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