New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

💧 Freshwater Vulnerable 🌡️ Tropical

Dwarf Lake Turkana robber

Brachyalestes minutus Hopson & Hopson, 1982
Max Length
3.3 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.1
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

A pelagic species, usually occurring with A. ferox, widespread throughout the open waters of Lake Turkana; situated in midwater scattering layer during daylight hours; disperses through surface waters after dark; feeds chiefly on zooplankton with occasional small insects; spawns within the lake; matures at exceptionally small size for an Alestes .

Scientific Name
Brachyalestes minutus
Authority
Hopson & Hopson, 1982
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
VU
Max Length
3.3 cm
Trophic Level
3.1
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Brachyalestes
Brachyalestes
Species
Dwarf Lake Turkana robber
Brachyalestes minutus

🐟 Physical Description

It has a shorter snout compared to Alestes nurse, a slightly larger eye and narrower interorbital space . The mouth of this species is noticeably superior and subterminal, with a predominance of unicuspid outer maxillary teeth .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Dwarf Lake Turkana robber is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Dwarf Lake Turkana robber is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Dwarf Lake Turkana robber is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical endemic to Lake Turkana (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🐟 Pelagic
Trophic Level
3.1±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01072 × L3.02 (TL)
Max TL
3.3cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Vulnerable
Assessment Date
2022

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.1
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Hopson & Hopson, 1982

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Dwarf Lake Turkana robber ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.