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Silver micralestes (Micralestes holargyreus) — Alestidae

Silver micralestes

Micralestes holargyreus
Family: Alestidae
LC · Least Concern

The Silver micralestes (Micralestes holargyreus) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Congo basin
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The silver micralestes is a small African tetra from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, shiny silvery body, characteristic of the African tetras. It forms schools in rivers and streams and feeds on insects, small crustaceans 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 Silver micralestes?

The Silver micralestes has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender glossy schooling little African tetra

Where does the Silver micralestes live?

The Silver micralestes lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Congo basin

How big does the Silver micralestes get?

The Silver micralestes grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Silver micralestes dangerous to humans?

No, the Silver micralestes 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 Silver micralestes edible?

The Silver micralestes is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Silver micralestes verified
Scientific name
Micralestes holargyreus
Family
Alestidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 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
Congo basin verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, small crustaceans 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 glossy schooling little African tetra 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
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 Micralestes

More from the family Alestidae

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