Sharptooth tetra (Micralestes acutidens)

Scientific name: Micralestes acutidens Peters, 1852

The Sharptooth tetra (Micralestes acutidens) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–26°C (72–79°F).

Sharptooth tetra care at a glance

Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F)

Biology

Shoals in clear, flowing or standing, open water. Appears to co-exist with the tigerfish Hydrocynus forskalii in open water although it is heavily preyed upon by that predator, particularly those shoals of tigerfish ranging up to 45 cm in length. Omnivorous, often feeding from surface waters on winged insects. Also takes insect larvae, crustaceans and eggs and fry of other fish. Mature after a year. A partial spawner of moderate fecundity, with usually fewer than 700 eggs per female. Shoals migrate upstream after first summer rains; breeds throughout the summer months. Used as forage fish and as bait for tigerfish and pike.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Micralestes acutidens
Family: Alestidae (African tetras)
Order: Characiformes (Characins)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 9.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.2 - 8.0; dH range: ? - 25 pelagic; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Nile, Niger, Chad, Congo, Zambezi, Limpopo, Omo, Ubanghi, Lake Kariba, Kafue, Benin, Rovuma, Transvaal, Cameroon, Lake Upemba, Lualaba, Uel?, Benue. Also known from the Cunene and Okavango systems. Also found in Lake Volta, Ghana and Lake Kariba.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial; bait: usually
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.63; tmax=3)