All fish / Alestidae

Cherry red Congo tetra

Alestopetersius brichardi

Also known as brichard's congo tetra, brichard's tetra, red congo tetra, cherry congo tetra, alestopetersius nigropterus, alestopetersius ansorgii

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This is a small African tetra with a slim body. Adults turn a warm reddish orange and have dark markings on the fins, and the males usually show the strongest colour. Keepers like it as a less common, peaceful shoaling fish for a planted community tank with soft, gently moving water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and small granules, plus live or frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Middle Congo River basin, including the Busira and Ruki rivers, DR Congo

Breeding

It scatters its eggs among fine plants or spawning mops and does not guard them. Spawns have been reported in soft, slightly acidic water, but captive breeding is uncommon. Most fish in the trade are caught in the wild.

Good to know

Fish are sometimes sold under the wrong names A. nigropterus or A. ansorgii. Wild-caught imports can be fragile, so acclimatise them slowly and keep the water clean.