Brichard's Congo Tetra Breeding Guide

Alestopetersius brichardi is an egg-scattering Congo tetra. Males are more colourful with extended fins; detailed aquarium spawning data is limited.

Overview

Alestopetersius brichardi is a small alestid tetra from the middle Congo River system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the Busira and Ruki rivers. Seriously Fish records a size of 75-80 mm SL and FishBase lists 7.9 cm SL. It is an egg-scattering tetra that, like its congeners, provides no parental care.

Sexing

Males are notably more colourful, with extended dorsal, ventral, anal and caudal fins, and turn bright reddish when competing. Females have shorter fin extensions except for extended median caudal-fin rays (Seriously Fish).

Conditioning

Condition adults on regular small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia alongside good-quality dried flakes and granules. The species is gregarious and best kept in groups of at least 8-10, which encourages the hierarchical displays between males. Documented parameters are 20-28 C and pH 5.0-7.0 (Seriously Fish).

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

As an egg-scattering alestid, soft, slightly acidic water and the presence of fine-leaved plants are the general conditions associated with spawning in the genus. Eggs are scattered and unguarded; no species-specific trigger is documented for A. brichardi.