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Tumba Congo tetra (Alestopetersius tumbensis) — Alestidae

Tumba Congo tetra

Alestopetersius tumbensis
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Tumba Congo tetra (Alestopetersius tumbensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Tumba Congo tetra is an African tetra (Alestidae) from fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a pearly sheen, an adipose fin and, in courting males, finely extended fins. As a social schooling fish it swims in clear rivers and streams and snaps at insects, larvae and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tumba Congo tetra?

The Tumba Congo tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Tumba Congo tetra live?

The Tumba Congo tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Tumba Congo tetra get?

The Tumba Congo tetra grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Tumba Congo tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Tumba Congo tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Tumba Congo tetra edible?

The Tumba Congo tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tumba-Congozalm sourced
English name
Tumba Congo tetra sourced
Scientific name
Alestopetersius tumbensis
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Alestopetersius

More from the family Alestidae

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