Alestes dentex (Linnaeus 1758)

Diagnosis: multicuspid teeth set in two rows and not overlapping the jaws when the mouth is closed; teeth stout, not compressed; eyes without or with weakly developed adipose lids; anal fin with 22-26 rays (Ref. 28714). At most 27 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch (18-27); 3 unbranched and 18-23 branched anal-fin rays; dorsal-fin origin distinctly behind level of pelvic-fin insertions (Ref. 2880, 81279). Scales small (Ref. 28714), 43-51 in lateral line (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).

Annulotrema Infestation 4. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Up to 300 eggs are scattered on the bottom. Larvae hatch after about 6 days.

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Anal spines: 0; Analsoft rays: 21 - 26; Vertebrae: 45 - 48

Opportunistic feeder on zooplankton, insects (immature stages of Chironomidae, Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera, and Hemiptera as well as swimming larvae of Chaoborid insects) and seeds of Graminea and Cyperacea (Ref. 46977).

Omnivorous, stomachs examined contained seeds, zooplankton, insects or fish fry (Ref. 28714). Two subspecies: Alestes dentex dentex in the Nile and Alestes dentex sethente (Valenciennes, 1849) in Sudanian basins of West Africa.

fisheries: commercial