From Boulenger 1909, pp. 197-198.

Depth of body 3 ½ to 4 ½ times in total length, length of head 4 1/2 to 5 times. Head 2 to 2 ½ times as long as broad, 1 1/4 to 1 1/3 as long as deep; snout as long as or a little shorter than eye, which is lateral and 3 to 3 ½ times in length of head ; adipose eyelid well developed ; interorbital region convex, its width 3 tool- times in length of head ; maxillary not extending to below anterior border of eye ; 14-18 (6-8 / 8-10) teeth in upper jaw, 10 (8 / 2) in lower ; lower border of second suborbital as long as eye. Gill-rakers long and slender, 17-20 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal II 8, originating above ventral, at equal distance from end of snout and from caudal, longest ray equal to or a little less than length of head. Anal III 17-20. Pectoral 3/4 to once length of head, not reaching ventral. Caudal forked, with long pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle 1 1/4 to 1 ½ times as long as deep. Scales without anastomosing canals, 39-45, 6½ - 8 ½ scales above lateral line, 3 ½ scales below lateral line, 2 between lateral line and root of ventral. Silvery, bluish or greenish on the back; pectoral and ventral fins sometimes blackish. Total length 460 millim.

Occurring in lakes and rivers in Tanzania (Ref. 4967).

This species is widespread in lakes and rivers throughout eastern, central and western Africa:

Central Africa: Alestes macrophthalmus is known essentially from whole the Congo River basin, including some coastal basins of Cameroon, Ogowe River in Gabon, and Lake Tanganyika and effluents (Paugy 1984), but not in the Lower Congo.

Eastern Africa: Within eastern Africa this species is found in Lake Tanganyika and its affluent rivers and streams, including Malagarasi.

Western Africa: It also inhabits the Cross Rivers (Nigeria).

Distributed in Lower Guinea within the Cross, Wouri, Dibamba (Dimamba), Sanaga, Lokoundjé, Ntem, Ogowe, Nyanga and Kouilou basins. Occurs throughout the Congo basin, particularly Ubangi, Lualaba, Luvua, Lufira and Luapulala rivers and Lakes Mweru, Bangweulu, Upemba and Tanganyika. Also in Angola in the Quanza and Lucalla Rivers.

Africa: Essentially from the Congo basin, but also known from the Cross River in Nigeria and some coastal basins of Cameroon (Ref. 2880). Also known from Ogowe River in Gabon (Ref. 5331), Lake Tanganyika (Ref. 5331) and Cuanza and Luculla Rivers in Angola (Ref. 5331).

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 17 - 23

Maximum size: 600 mm SL

60.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 2880))

Silvery body, back darker bluish or greenish, lower sides and ventral part white. Pectorals and ventrals sometimes blackish. Well developed fontanel. See additional characters for A. baremoze for sexual dimorphism in Alestes species.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Freshwater

pelagic; freshwater

After passing through the gut, the partially digested plant remains form part of the bottom deposits. It is yet to be established whether this material is then directly digestible by Tilapia or whether the rich growths of protozoa and bacteria supported by these remains are the food for the fish (Ref. 42252). Occurring in lakes and rivers in Tanzania (Ref. 4967).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Least Concern (LC)

Conservation Actions

fisheries: commercial