Teleostei (teleosts) >
Characiformes (Characins) >
Alestidae (African tetras)
Etymology: Brycinus: Greek, ebrykon, brykomai = to bite, to gnaw (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.8 - 7.8. Tropical; 23°C - 27°C (Ref. 12468)
Africa: Southern Ghana and southern Nigeria (Lagos and Bénoué basin) (Ref. 2880, 81279). Also recorded in Sanaga River basin, Cameroon (Ref. 52331).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 31256); max. published weight: 300.00 g (Ref. 3799)
Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 18. Diagnosis: parietal fontanella absent in adults and porelinke in juveniles, disappearing with growth; snout long, comprised three times in head length; dorsal-fin origin distincly behind pelvic-fin insertions; head broad; adults large-sized; no sexual dimorphism affecting anal-fin shape in adult males; body depth less than three times in the standard length in adults; 8-12 teeth in outer premaxillary row; 4.5 scales above lateral line; 21-23 lateral line scales; 13-15 anal fin branched rays; 18-20 gill rakers on lower part of first branchial arch (Ref. 2880, 81279).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Affinities: B. macrocephalus
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Paugy, D., 1990. Characidae. p. 195-236. In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douces et saumâtres de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Tome I. Coll. Faune Tropicale n° XXVIII. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren et O.R.S.T.O.M., Paris, 384 p. (Ref. 2880)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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