Diagnosis: Alestes inferus is distinguished from all congeners by the possession of fewer pored scales along the lateral line (31-33 vs 36-51) and fewer vertebrae (39-40 versus 41-49) (Ref. 80450). It is further differentiated from A. dentex, A. baremoze and A. stuhlmanni in the possession of fewer gill rakers along the lower limb of the first arch (15-17 versus 23-58) (Ref. 80450). Dorsal fin with 2 unbranched and 8 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 16-18 branched rays; origin of dorsal fin at, or slightly in front of, vertical through pelvic-fin origin (Ref. 80450). Lateral-line scales with bifurcating external canal in region proximate to overlap with following scale, each bifurcation terminating in a small pore (Ref. 80450).

Description:

Coloration: In alcohol base body coloration yellowish brown dorsally, pale cream ventrally; a darkly pigmented, deep-lying stripe extends from dorsoposterior margin of opercle to base of caudal peduncle, not extending over caudal fin; trace of a band of dark melanophores present above anal fin (Ref. 80450). Pectoral and pelvic fins creamy white; adipose fin dusky gray with a narrow marginal band of darker pigment; dorsal fin somewhat dusky proximally with yellow-orange band mid-dorsally, dusky gray proximally; anal fin pale proximally becoming darker along distal margin; caudal fin dusky gray with yellow-orange patch posteriorly on dorsal and ventral lobes, distal margin dark gray (Ref. 80450). In life with blue-green iridescence dorsally and dorsolaterally, silvery-white laterally and ventrally; no trace of midlateral band or of melanophores above anal fin (Ref. 80450). Pectoral and pelvic fins pale yellowish hyaline; dorsal fin hyaline proximally, orange distally; adipose pale dusky gray with a narrow darker gray distal margin; anal fin pale dusky gray; caudal fin pale dusky gray, orange banding along the posterodorsal and posteroventral lobes, and with a narrow, dark gray distal margin (Ref. 80450).