| Family: |
Alestidae (African tetras) |
| Max. size: |
27 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater; depth range 0 - 20 m, |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Lake Victoria (and at least some affluent streams and rivers), Lake Nabugabo, Malawa River, Victoria Nile (Ref. 34290, 104654) and Middle Akagera drainage (Ref. 46152). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-19. Anal fin margin of females straight or very slightly concave; markedly convex in males (individual rays are stouter and coarser than those of females). Silver, bluish-grey to black-blue dorsally. Large black blotch on the caudal peduncle, with narrow extension on the caudal fin; round black spot behind the head. Dorsal fin grey, adipose dorsal fin orange. All fins grey in color; other specimens all yellowish (except for pectorals). Anal and pelvic fins of a faint orange tinge or grey with a faint yellowish sheen (Ref. 34290). |
| Biology: |
In Lake Victoria confined to shallow coastal areas (Ref. 34290, 104654), in water less than 20 m deep (Ref. 12526, 34290). Omnivore, feeding on aquatic plants, surface insects and small fishes, and sometimes on molluscs (Ref. 4903, 12526, 104654). Known to run up rivers and streams in Lake Victoria during rainy season (Ref. 4903). Apparently rare since introduction of Lates (Ref. 4967). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 September 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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