Alestes dentex (Linnaeus, 1758)
Characin
No Picture Available

 Family:  Alestidae (African tetras)
 Max. size:  55 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 600.0 g; max. reported age: 7 years
 Environment:  pelagic; pH range: 6 - 6.5; dH range: 4 - 18, potamodromous
 Distribution:  Africa: Chad, Niger, Volta, Gambia, Senegal (Ref. 2880, 81279). Outside West Africa this species is found in the Nile, Lake Mobutu Sese Seko [=Lake Albert] and Omo-Lake Turkana system (Ref. 2880). Also known from the White Nile, Murchinson Nile and Blue Nile (Ref. 5331).
 Diagnosis:  Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 21-26; Vertebrae: 45-48. Diagnosis: at most 27 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch (18-27); 3 unbranched and 18-23 branched anal-fin rays; 43-51 lateral line scales; dorsal-fin origin distinctly behind level of pelvic-fin insertions (Ref. 2880, 81279). Description: dorsal-fin origin behind level of pelvic-fin insertions, but not as far back as in A. baremoze; well developed fontanel (Ref. 2880, 81279). See additional characters for A. baremoze for sexual dimorphism in Alestes species. Colouration: silvery color, back darker gray or bluish, belly white; fins grayish or slightly tinted with yellow orange; inferior lobe of caudal red; both caudal lobes edged with black along fork; no humeral or precaudal spots (Ref. 2880, 81279).
 Biology:  Two subspecies: Alestes dentex dentex in the Nile and Alestes dentex sethente (Valenciennes, 1849) in Sudanian basins of West Africa. Omnivorous, stomachs examined contained seeds, zooplankton, insects or fish fry (Ref. 28714).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Cruz, Tess - 20.03.92
 Modified by: Sa-a, Pascualita - 25.08.04
 Checked by: Sa-a, Pascualita - 28.08.94

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