Chessa

Diagnosis: snout short; mouth inferior; head about 5 times in fork length; juveniles with 12-16 dark vertical bars (Ref. 52193).Description: scales ctenoid; adipose and caudal fins covered by scales; lateral line straight; body deep, compressed, nape rising steeply, with straight or convex profile; head small, pointed; mouth inferior, with 2 rows of bicuspid teeth; dorsal fin with 4 unbranched and 19-23 branched rays; anal fin with 4 unbranched and 10-12 branched rays (Ref. 52193).Coloration: adults silvery olive with sooty dorsal, anal and caudal fins; pectorals and pelvics yellowish; juveniles silvery, with 12—16 dark vertical bars (usually obscure) and a prominent dark spot at the base of the caudal fin (Ref. 52193).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0

Favors large rivers, shoaling over both rock and sand; omnivorous, preferring algae and plant matter to snails, shrimps, and small fish; breeds in summer during the rainy period, moving upstream to suitable spawning sites (Ref. 7248, 52193).

fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes