Micralestes occidentalis (Günther, 1899)
photo by Hippocampus-Bildarchiv

Family:  Alestidae (African tetras)
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater; pH range: 5.5 - 7.5; dH range: 1 - 10
Distribution:  Africa: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Cameroon and Sierra Leone. Savanna form found in upper reaches of the Niger and the Volta (Ref. 2880, 5331, 81279). Also found in Congo (Ref. 5331).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 19-24. Diagnosis: lateral line complete; 24-30 lateral line scales; 16-21 anal fin branched rays; 6/8 premaxillary teeth; 11-15 gill rakers on lower part of first branchial arch; caudal and adipose fins bright red; rayed dorsal fin colourless (Ref. 2880; 81279). Body height 3.1-3.3 times in standard length; head length 3.9-4.1 times in standard length; cuspid number: on external row of upper jaw 3, on internal row of upper jaw 5-7, on external row of lower jaw 3-6, on internal row of lower jaw 1 (Ref. 42032). Description: anal fin with 3 unbranched and 16-21 branched rays; sexual dimorphism in anal fins of adults (Ref. 2880, 81279). Coloration: body silvery, white belly and glossy lateral stripe; fine line of melanophores at base of anal fin; dorsal, adipose and caudal fins bright red, other no color; in forest zones, extremity of dorsal fin blackened adults; longitudinal band becomes black after preservation in formalin (Ref. 2880, 81279).
Biology:  Affinities: M. voltae (with dorsal point black): maybe 2 species M. o. occidentalis (Günther, 1899) forest zone form with dorsal point blackened & M. o. voltae Roman, 1966 savanna form without blackened dorsal point
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 March 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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