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Victoria robber (Brycinus sadleri) — Alestidae

Victoria robber

Brycinus sadleri
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Victoria robber (Brycinus sadleri) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Africa; Lake Victoria and surrounding lakes and rivers.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Victoria robber is an African tetra (Alestidae) from rivers, streams and lakes of Lake Victoria in East Africa. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a pearly sheen, large scales and an adipose fin. As a social schooling fish it swims in clear water and snaps at insects, larvae, small invertebrates and plant matter. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Victoria robber?

The Victoria robber has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender African characin of papyrus-rich shore zones; probably spawns in the rainy season.

Where does the Victoria robber live?

The Victoria robber lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. East Africa; Lake Victoria and surrounding lakes and rivers.

How big does the Victoria robber get?

The Victoria robber grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Victoria robber dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Victoria robber edible?

The Victoria robber is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Victoria robber sourced
Scientific name
Brycinus sadleri
Family
Alestidae
Other names
Sadler's robber verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
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
Natural range
East Africa; Lake Victoria and surrounding lakes and rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, plant material and plankton sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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 African characin of papyrus-rich shore zones; probably spawns in the rainy season. 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 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 Brycinus

More from the family Alestidae

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