Nurse Tetra (Brycinus nurse) Care Guide
Brycinus nurse, the nurse tetra, is a large schooling African characin of widely distributed river systems, requiring a group and a spacious aquarium.
Overview
Brycinus nurse, the nurse tetra, is a schooling African characin of the family Alestidae, originally described by Rüppell in 1832. It is a comparatively large characin that grows well beyond typical aquarium tetras, requiring a group and a large tank. FishBase now lists the species under the genus Brachyalestes (as Brachyalestes nurse).
Taxonomy
- Family: Alestidae
- Genus: Brycinus
- Scientific name: Brycinus nurse
- Author: Rüppell, 1832
- Common synonym: Brachyalestes nurse (FishBase)
Habitat
The species is widely distributed in West Africa and is present in the Chad and Nile basins up to Lake Albert. FishBase records it from rivers, lakes, irrigation canals and fringing vegetation, in waters of pH 6.0-7.8 and about 23-27 °C. It is potamodromous, undertaking migrations within river systems, and dwarf populations occur in Lake Turkana and Lake Chad.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- GH: 5-18 °dGH
- Adult size: 15-25 cm
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
Brycinus nurse is an omnivore. FishBase reports a wild diet of zooplankton, Caridina shrimp, insects, snails and vegetation. In aquaria it accepts a varied diet of prepared, frozen and live foods alongside plant matter, offered about twice daily.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, mid-water schooling fish that should be kept in a group of at least six in a spacious tank. Given its size, it is best housed with robust tankmates such as larger African cichlids; very small fishes may be eaten and should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is an egg-scatterer. In the wild, reproduction is tied to the wet season, with spawning influenced by flooding and seasonal water changes. FishBase reports sexual maturity at around 8.9 cm.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in April 2019. The species is of minor commercial fishery value and is also present in the aquarium trade.