Home · Alestidae · Gabon tetra
Gabon tetra (Brachypetersius gabonensis) — Alestidae

Gabon tetra

Brachypetersius gabonensis
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Gabon tetra (Brachypetersius gabonensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Gabon tetra is an African tetra (Alestidae) from rivers, streams and lakes of Gabon in West-Central Africa. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a pearly sheen, large scales and an adipose fin. As a social schooling fish it swims in clear water and snaps at insects, larvae, small invertebrates and plant matter. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gabon tetra?

The Gabon tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Gabon tetra live?

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

How big does the Gabon tetra get?

The Gabon tetra grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Gabon tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Gabon tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Gabon tetra edible?

The Gabon tetra is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gabon-zalm sourced
English name
Gabon tetra sourced
Scientific name
Brachypetersius gabonensis
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Two separate 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
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Brachypetersius

More from the family Alestidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →