| Family: |
Alestidae (African tetras) |
| Max. size: |
7 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Lower Zambezi, Pungwe and Buzi systems; also upper Shire and lakes Malawi, Chilwa and Chiuta (Ref. 52193). Also Rovuma and Rufiji (Ref. 4967). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-20. Description: Body compressed, fusiform; in males leading ray of anal fin expanded and recurved, in females fin normal and trailing edge straight (Ref. 52193). Teeth tricuspid, in a single row on both jaws, 12 on upper, 6-8 on lower jaw (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 7-8 branched rays; anal fin with 2 unbranched and 16-18 branched rays (Ref. 52193). Lateral line incomplete, 7-9 tubuled scales, 28-32 scales in lateral series, 12-14 around caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193). Colouration: Translucent olive, with silvery head and abdomen and an iridescent green stripe along body; dorsal and caudal fins sooty, with yellow base; a black band above anterior base of anal fin passes across midrays of anal fin (Ref. 52193). |
| Biology: |
Shoals in marginal vegetation of rivers and lakes (Ref. 52193). Feeds on small insects and invertebrates (Ref. 7248, 52193). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
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