| Family: |
Alestidae (African tetras) |
| Max. size: |
7 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater, |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Lower Guinea endemic, known from Ntem and Ogowe River basins in Cameroon and Gabon (Ref. 80290). Also found in Rio Muni (Ref. 5331). |
| Diagnosis: |
Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-21. Diagnosis: flanks with intense pigment band from a vertical through anal fin origin and extending caudad to posterior margin of median caudal fin rays; 26-28 scales in longitudinal series; adipose fin not broad and rounded, its total length less than 3x its length at base (Ref. 80290).
Description: body robust, deep, greatest body depth 30-40% of SL and head length 25-28% of SL; mouth slightly superior, lower jaw prominent, its depth about 2x that of upper jaw; premaxilla with 2 teeth in outer row each bearing 3-5 cusps, 4 teeth in inner row each bearing 5-7 cusps; dentary with 4 teeth in outer row each bearing 5-7 cusps, a monocuspid inner dentary tooth present at symphysis posterior to outer row teeth; lateral line canal incomplete, 14-16 tubes, ultimate canal-bearing scale at vertical through posterior of pelvic fin to anus; adipose fin not large, its posterior margin reaching to vertical through middle of caudal peduncle; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 15-18 branched rays (Ref. 80290).
Coloration: flanks silvery; conspicuous dark band restricted to caudal peduncle and mostly ventral to the lateral line, originating at or slightly posterior to vertical through anal fin origin and extending caudad to posterior margin of median caudal fin rays; caudal fin pink in life; tip of pelvic fins black, fins otherwise yellowish to dusky; humeral spot often present (Ref. 80290). |
| Biology: |
Maximum size 70 mm SL (Ref. 80290).
Affinities: very similar to P. major and the justification for maintaining separate species status is questionable (Ref. 80290). More details on the differences between P. urotaenia and P. major can be found in Ref. 80290. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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