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Lambert's tetra (Nannopetersius lamberti) — Alestidae

Lambert's tetra

Nannopetersius lamberti
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Lambert's tetra (Nannopetersius lamberti) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; quiet to moderately flowing rivers and creeks of the Congo basin.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Lambert's tetra is a small African characin of the family Alestidae from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, silvery body with large scales and sometimes reddish fin tints. It lives in schools in quiet to moderately flowing rivers and creeks. As an omnivore it feeds on small invertebrates, insects, algae and plant matter at and near the surface. It is a peaceful, active schooling fish popular in the aquarium. Owing to its small size it is prey for larger fishes and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lambert's tetra?

The Lambert's tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender little African tetra with large scales and sometimes reddish fin tints; peaceful little schooling fish.

Where does the Lambert's tetra live?

The Lambert's tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Central Africa; quiet to moderately flowing rivers and creeks of the Congo basin.

How big does the Lambert's tetra get?

The Lambert's tetra grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Lambert's tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Lambert's tetra is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Lambert's tetra edible?

The Lambert's tetra is not usually eaten.

More photos

Lambert's tetra (Nannopetersius lamberti) — Alestidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lambert's tetra (Nannopetersius lamberti) — Alestidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lambert's tetra (Nannopetersius lamberti) — Alestidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lambert's tetra (Nannopetersius lamberti) — Alestidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Lambert's tetra sourced
Scientific name
Nannopetersius lamberti
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 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
Natural range
Central Africa; quiet to moderately flowing rivers and creeks of the Congo basin. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insects, algae and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Slender little African tetra with large scales and sometimes reddish fin tints; peaceful little schooling fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Nannopetersius

More from the family Alestidae

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