Brycinus minutus (Hopson & Hopson, 1982)
Dwarf Lake Turkana robber

Family:  Alestidae (African tetras)
Max. size:  3.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: endemic to Lake Turkana (Ref. 53378, 52331).
Diagnosis:  It has a shorter snout compared to Alestes nurse, a slightly larger eye and narrower interorbital space (Ref. 53378). The mouth of this species is noticeably superior and subterminal, with a predominance of unicuspid outer maxillary teeth (Ref. 53378).
Biology:  A pelagic species, usually occurring with A. ferox, widespread throughout the open waters of Lake Turkana; situated in midwater scattering layer during daylight hours; disperses through surface waters after dark; feeds chiefly on zooplankton with occasional small insects; spawns within the lake; matures at exceptionally small size for an Alestes (Ref. 53378).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 05 July 2022 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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