Micralestes occidentalis (Günther 1899)

Diagnosis: lateral line complete; 24-30 lateral line scales; 16-21 anal fin branched rays; 6/8 premaxillary teeth; 11-15 gill rakers on lower part of first branchial arch; caudal and adipose fins bright red; rayed dorsal fin colourless (Ref. 2880; 81279). Body height 3.1-3.3 times in standard length; head length 3.9-4.1 times in standard length; cuspid number: on external row of upper jaw 3, on internal row of upper jaw 5-7, on external row of lower jaw 3-6, on internal row of lower jaw 1 (Ref. 42032). Description: anal fin with 3 unbranched and 16-21 branched rays; sexual dimorphism in anal fins of adults (Ref. 2880, 81279). Coloration: body silvery, white belly and glossy lateral stripe; fine line of melanophores at base of anal fin; dorsal, adipose and caudal fins bright red, other no color; in forest zones, extremity of dorsal fin blackened adults; longitudinal band becomes black after preservation in formalin (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Dorsal spines (total): 2 - 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 19 - 24

Affinities: M. voltae (with dorsal point black): maybe 2 species M. o. occidentalis (Günther, 1899) forest zone form with dorsal point blackened & M. o. voltae Roman, 1966 savanna form without blackened dorsal point