Alestes

{{Short description|Genus of fishes}}

{{Automatic taxobox

|image = Albar u0.png

|image_caption = Alestes baremoze

|taxon = Alestes

|authority = J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1846

|type_species = Salmo niloticus

|type_species_authority = Linnaeus, 1758

|subdivision_ranks = Species

|subdivision = See text.

|synonyms = Myletes

}}

Alestes is a genus in the family Alestidae, known as the "African Characidae" as they are found exclusively on that continent. As suggested by that name, they Alestidae was formerly included in Characidae. Myletes is a synonym of Alestes,[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=639135 Myletes Cuvier, 1814], Integrated Taxonomic Information System but the former name has historically also been used for various South American serrasalmids.

Within the Lake Chad basin, Alestes and Hydrocynus, collectively known as salanga, are lightly smoked and dried.[http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/D7238E/D7238E03.htm Fisheries Development Within the Framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission] by A. Staunch, presented at the Symposium on the Evaluation of Fishery Resources in the Development and Management of Inland Fisheries, 1972 (hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization)