| Alestidae (African tetras) |
| 4.89 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
pelagic; freshwater |
| Africa: only known from the type locality on the lower Congo River near Inga, in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 59215). |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 19-20; Vertebrae: 38-40. It is characterized by the combination of the absence of a supraorbital bone, and the presence of a deep-lying midlateral stripe extending along the body onto the caudal peduncle, a band of chromatophores above the anal fin, and a small pair of inner row symphyseal teeth on the dentary (Ref. 59215). It has also an elevated vertebral count of 38 to 40, and 4 to 6 outer row premaxillary teeth are present with a majority of the specimens, with only 4 outer row teeth implanted in an alternating pattern with respect to the anterior inner row premaxillary teeth (Ref. 59215). Number of dorsal fin rays is ii,6-7 and anal fin rays is iii,16-17 (Ref. 59215). In life a broad, blue-green iridescent midlateral band covers the lateral flanks and tail from behind the opercle to the base of the caudal fin; this band overlies and obscures the deep lying midlateral stripe evident in preserved specimens; above and below the midlateral band the body is silvery white (Ref. 59215). Numerous melanophores are present on the head and opercle, and scattered over the body with a concentration around lateral scale margins (Ref. 59215). Dorsal fin and pectoral fins are dusky gray; adipose fin is pale grey with a dark distal margin; caudal fin is dusky gray and medially each fin fork is deep crimson red; anterior and distal margins of anal fin are white, while the remainder of the fin is jet black; pelvic fins are white (Ref. 59215). |
| Micralestes schelly was collected over a sand and gravel substrate in the main channel of the Congo River amongst large rock slabs of up to 4 m high thrusting upward at angles of 60-70 degrees, in pools up to 2 m in depth (Ref. 59215). |
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Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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