Home · Alestidae · Congo silverside tetra
Congo silverside tetra (Micralestes congicus) — Alestidae

Congo silverside tetra

Micralestes congicus
Family: Alestidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Congo silverside tetra (Micralestes congicus) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 6 cm.

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

Description

The Congo silverside tetra is a small African characin from fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery, laterally compressed body. It schools in clear rivers and streams and feeds on small zooplankton, insects and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Congo silverside tetra?

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

Where does the Congo silverside tetra live?

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

How big does the Congo silverside tetra get?

The Congo silverside tetra grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Congo silverside tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Congo silverside tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Congo silverside tetra edible?

The Congo silverside tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Congo-zilverzalmpje verified
English name
Congo silverside tetra verified
Scientific name
Micralestes congicus
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

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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