Longfin Tetra (Brycinus longipinnis) Care Guide
Brycinus longipinnis is a robust, active African characin in which mature males develop an elongated dorsal fin.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Brycinus longipinnis is a robust, highly active African characin. Mature males develop a notably elongated dorsal fin and a convex anal-fin profile. It is a hardy schooling species best kept in spacious tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alestidae
- Genus: Brycinus
- Scientific name: Brycinus longipinnis
Habitat
Native to northern West Africa, ranging from Gambia to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gabon. It inhabits large rivers and tributaries and occasionally enters brackish estuarine waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.8
- GH: 5-18 °dGH
- School size: at least 6 individuals
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
An omnivore with a strong protein demand. It accepts live, frozen and dried foods. Meaty fare such as chopped earthworm or prawn should be offered regularly.
Compatibility
A peaceful but highly active mid-water swimmer that should be kept in a group. It can coexist with larger community fish and is often combined with African cichlids and Synodontis catfish, but its activity may intimidate very small species, which are best avoided.
Breeding
An egg scatterer. Spawning is reported in fine-leaved plants in soft, acidic water (around 2-5 °dGH, pH 6.0-6.5) at the warmer end of the range. Eggs hatch in roughly 4-6 days, and fry first require infusoria, then newly hatched brine shrimp.
Longfin Tetra Breeding Guide
Overview
The Longfin Tetra (Brycinus longipinnis) is a robust African alestid ranging across West Africa from Gambia to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon. In general care Seriously Fish gives it a range of about 22-26 C, pH 6.0-7.5 and hardness around 5-19 dH, while the breeding tank uses softer, more acidic water. It is an egg-scattering tetra without parental care; well-conditioned adults are spawned in a separate tank and removed once eggs are laid.
Sexing
According to Seriously Fish, adult males develop a long, flowing dorsal fin, are slightly larger than females, and have a characteristic convex profile to the anal fin.
Conditioning
Condition the sexes separately on lots of live and frozen foods. Select the best-coloured male and the fattest female once the females appear ripe and plump.
Breeding Setup
- Dimly lit spawning tank with floating plants for cover and fine-leaved plants such as java moss as a spawning medium.
- No substrate required.
- Temperature about 24-26 C (75-79 F), pH 6.0-6.5, general hardness around 2-5.
- Gentle aeration from a small sponge filter; high dissolved oxygen is important for the eggs and early fry.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Several hundred orange eggs are produced and scattered into the plants. As with related alestids, the adults will take the eggs and should be removed once spawning is complete.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in about 4-6 days, with the fry becoming free-swimming 1-2 days later. Start the fry on infusoria or a liquid fry food, then offer brine shrimp nauplii or microworm after 2-3 days. High dissolved oxygen is critical for early survival.
Common Challenges
Maintaining high oxygen and clean, soft, acidic water through the egg and early fry stages is the main demand, alongside the usual need to remove the parents to protect the eggs.