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Brichard's Congo tetra

Alestopetersius brichardi

Also known as Brichardi Congo tetra, Red Congo tetra

FreshwaterFish

Brichard's Congo tetra (Alestopetersius brichardi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
3.5 in
9 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer
Rarity
Rare
Family
Alestidae
Origin
Lower Congo rapids region

Overview

Brichard's Congo tetra is a peaceful, colorful schooling fish that swims in open midwater. It is a step up from the easiest community fish.

Did you know

This tetra carries the name of Pierre Brichard, a Belgian exporter who collected on the Congo and Lake Tanganyika in the mid-century. His fish introduced a whole generation of African species to the hobby. His name still rides on cichlids, catfish and this tetra.

Caring for the Brichard's Congo tetra

Keep Brichard's Congo tetras in a group of at least six. Several males in the group bring out rival displays and richer color. A tank of 29 gal (110 L) or larger gives this active fish the swimming length it wants. Leave open space in the middle, with some driftwood or plants at the sides.

Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. It does best with a steady current, strong filtration and oxygenation, and clean water.

Feed generously and with variety. Use flake and pellets as a base, topped up with frozen and live foods like bloodworm and brine shrimp.

Brichard's Congo tetra is peaceful. Good tank mates are other calm community fish, such as Synodontis catfish, peaceful barbs and larger rasboras or tetras. Males are washed in cherry red and orange with a blue and purple sheen and extended fin tips, while females stay plainer. Reliable aquarium breeding is not documented, though like its relatives it scatters its eggs.

Good to know

Alestopetersius brichardi is an African tetra in the family Alestidae. The bright males are why the trade sells it as the cherry red or red Congo tetra. Brichard himself collected part of the original type material for the species.

In the wild

Brichard's Congo tetra comes from the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It lives in the fast, oxygen-rich stretches around Malebo Pool and the rapids below. The water there is warm, soft and slightly acidic, and it moves over rock and sand.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Brichard's Congo tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Brichard's Congo tetra need?

A Brichard's Congo tetra needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Brichard's Congo tetra need?

A Brichard's Congo tetra is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

What does a Brichard's Congo tetra eat?

A Brichard's Congo tetra eats flake and pellets as a base. Top this up with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, and feed generously.

How big does a Brichard's Congo tetra get?

An adult Brichard's Congo tetra reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).

Does a Brichard's Congo tetra need a group?

Yes. A Brichard's Congo tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How can you tell a male Brichard's Congo tetra from a female?

Males are washed in cherry red and orange, with a blue and purple sheen and extended fin tips. Females stay plainer.

How does a Brichard's Congo tetra breed?

Brichard's Congo tetra scatters its eggs like its relatives. Reliable breeding in the aquarium has not been documented.

Related species