| Family: |
Alestidae (African tetras) |
| Max. size: |
9.6 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 8; dH range: 5 - 19 |
| Distribution: |
Africa: lower Niger and Ogun rivers in Nigeria (Ref. 2880, 81279). |
| Diagnosis: |
Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-14. Diagnosis: scales distinctly larger above than below lateral-line; 8 teeth in outer tooth row of upper jaw; parietal fontanel absent (Ref. 2880, 81279).
Description: upper jaw prominent; two tooth rows on premaxilla, the outer row with 8, the inner with 12 or 13 teeth; mandible with single row of rather numerous (16-20) outer teeth; none of fins filamentous; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 11 branched rays; sexual dimorphism on anal fin: females - hyaline with black spot on rays beneath adipose fin, males - lemon yellow (sometimes yellow-ochre) with 5 dark or black bands and colored margin (Ref. 2880, 81279).
Coloration: live specimens have two lateral bands, the upper bad is red-orange, the lower blue-green; upper part of eye red; dorsal fin with white-edged black spot lined with a clear zone which occupies 2/3 of the anterior portion of the dorsal; preserved specimens have light dorsal region with black dots on scale centres; sides with light longitudinal band and dark lower half of body. Back, snout and median rays of caudal fin (apart from blotches on dorsal and anal fins) dark (Ref. 2880, 81279). |
| Biology: |
Feeds on worms, insects and crustaceans. In aquaria, female lays up to 1000 eggs, after vigorous driving by the male, which hatch in 30 to 34 hours (Ref. 7020). Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 100 cm (Ref. 51150). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 12 August 2019 (B2ab(i,ii,iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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