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Dwarf African tetra (Brycinus humilis) — Alestidae

Dwarf African tetra

Brycinus humilis
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dwarf African tetra (Brycinus humilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
East and Central Africa
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The dwarf African tetra is a small characin from fresh water of East and Central Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, silvery body, characteristic of the African tetras. It forms schools in rivers, streams and lakes and feeds as an omnivore on insects, small invertebrates and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf African tetra?

The Dwarf African tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender silvery small schooling tetra

Where does the Dwarf African tetra live?

The Dwarf African tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. East and Central Africa

How big does the Dwarf African tetra get?

The Dwarf African tetra grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Dwarf African tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf African tetra is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Dwarf African tetra edible?

The Dwarf African tetra is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Dwarf African tetra verified
Scientific name
Brycinus humilis
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 sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
East and Central Africa verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, small invertebrates and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling African tetra; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Slender silvery small schooling tetra sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Brycinus

More from the family Alestidae

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