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Congo tetra (Alestopetersius leopoldianus) — Alestidae

Congo tetra

Alestopetersius leopoldianus
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Congo tetra (Alestopetersius leopoldianus) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 9 cm.

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

Description

The Congo tetra is an African tetra (Alestidae) from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species is small and has a slender, silvery body with a faint sheen; males often have slightly elongated fins. It lives in schools in rivers and streams of the rainforest. As an omnivore it feeds on insects, small zooplankton and plant matter. It is a prey fish for larger fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Congo tetra?

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

Where does the Congo tetra live?

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

How big does the Congo tetra get?

The Congo tetra grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Congo tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Congo tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Congo tetra edible?

The Congo tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Leopold-zalmtetra sourced
English name
Congo tetra sourced
Scientific name
Alestopetersius leopoldianus
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
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
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes 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 Alestopetersius

More from the family Alestidae

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