Micralestes humilis (African tetra with red fins)

MICRALEST HURISE FISH IS A SMALL FREE FREE FREE WATER that belongs to the Cichlidae family. It is mainly found in rivers and lakes in East Africa, especially in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. It measures approximately 4 to 5 centimeters long and has a gray-green or gray-brown color with black spots on the body. His head is wide and flattened, and he has two pairs of bearded, or barbels, around the mouth, which serve him to detect and capture his food.

MICRALES HUMIS is an omnivorous fish that feeds mainly on small invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans and worms, but it can also eat plants and algae. It reproduces by digging nests in the sediments of rivers and lakes, and females deposit their eggs there, which the males protect and fertilize.

MICRALES HUMIS is a social fish that lives in groups called benches, which can include up to several hundred individuals. Fish of the same bench tend to regroup in couples, forming stable groups composed of a male and a female. The benches of MICRALES humilis can be territorial, and the males defend their territory against the intruders by displaying aggressive behaviors such as the swelling of the throat and the nuptial dance.

MICRALES HUMIS is an important fish for Eastern African ecosystems, where it plays a major role in the regulation of invertebrates populations and in the fertilization of sediments. Unfortunately, this species is threatened by the destruction of its habitat and water pollution, and is considered vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. It is therefore important to protect East African ecosystems to preserve this unique and remarkable species.