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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Torpedo robber

Alestes macrophthalmus Günther, 1867
Max Length
60 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Omnivore; remnants of insect larvae , weed, beetles and other insects and fish found in stomach. Juveniles predominantly insectivore, piscivore as adults .

Scientific Name
Alestes macrophthalmus
Authority
Günther, 1867
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
60 cm
Trophic Level
2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Characiformes
Characiformes
Family
Alestidae
Alestidae
Genus
Alestes
Alestes
Species
Torpedo robber
Alestes macrophthalmus

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 19 - 23. Diagnosis: very well developed adipose eyelid ; 18-20 branched anal-fin rays . 16-20 branched rays in Tanganyika specimens . 17-22 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch; dorsal-fin origin at about same level of pelvic-fin insertions . Sexual dimorphism affecting shape of anal fin . : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Torpedo robber is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Torpedo robber is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Torpedo robber is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical Central African Republic, Angola and Zambia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🐟 Pelagic
Feeding Mode
Omnivore
Trophic Level
2

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01122 × L3.04 (TL)
Max TL
60cm
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Rays
21

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
25.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Günther, 1867

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Torpedo robber is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 19 g
Omega-3 (total) 431 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Torpedo robber has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Alestes macrophthalmus tanganicae Hoedeman 1951 Synonym
Alestes macrophthalmus tanganiica Hoedeman 1951 Synonym
Alestes macropthalmus Günther 1867 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 292 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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