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Micralestes comoensis — Alestidae

Micralestes comoensis

Micralestes comoensis
Family: Alestidae
EN · Endangered

The Micralestes comoensis is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Micralestes comoensis is a small African characin (Alestidae) from West Africa, with a restricted range in the upper Comoe in Burkina Faso. The species reaches only about 7 cm and has a slender, silvery body. It lives in schools in the open water layer of the river. The diet consists of small zooplankton, insects and small invertebrates. Through its very restricted range and degradation of the drainage the species has declined strongly and is assessed by the IUCN as endangered (EN).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Micralestes comoensis?

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

Where does the Micralestes comoensis live?

The Micralestes comoensis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Micralestes comoensis get?

The Micralestes comoensis grows to a maximum of about 7 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Micralestes comoensis dangerous to humans?

No, the Micralestes comoensis is harmless to humans.

Is the Micralestes comoensis edible?

The Micralestes comoensis is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Comoe-tetra sourced
English name
Micralestes comoensis sourced
Scientific name
Micralestes comoensis
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.8 verified
Average length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
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
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Micralestes

More from the family Alestidae

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