Edit Alestopetersius smykalai

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Name

Scientific name

Alestopetersius smykalai

Described by

Authority Poll, Year 1967

Family

Alestidae

Common names

Blue Diamond Tetra, Blauer Diamantsalmler

Photograph credits

All 4 credited

Summary

The blue diamond tetra, Alestopetersius smykalai, is an alestid from the Imo and Niger drainages in Nigeria. The only member of its genus f…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

60mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–28°C, pH 5–7

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Nigeria, Aba, Imo, Niger

Writing

Etymology

Alestopetersius: etymology not explained, but appears to be a combination of Alestes (type genus of the family Alestidae) and Petersius (original genus of the …

Distribution

This species appears to be restricted to the Imo and Niger drainages in Nigeria but the full extent of its distribution is unclear. Type locality is 'Aba, Lowe…

Habitat

Not written yet

Aquarium size

Minimum base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are recommended.

Maintenance

Décor is relatively unimportant and this species will do well in planted aquaria but ideally the aquarium should ideally be designed to resemble a flowing stre…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Wild fish are probably foragers feeding on small insects, crustaceans, fallen fruit, etc. In the aquarium it's easily-fed but the best condition and colours of…

Behaviour and compatibility

Lively and somewhat skittish but generally peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched, larger community aquarium. Fishes inhabiting similar en…

Lively and somewhat skittish but generally peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched, larger community aquarium.

Fishes inhabiting similar environments in nature, especially comparably-sized cyprinids and other alestids perhaps constitute the best choices but other options include many cichlids, catfishes, loaches, etc.

Try to buy at least 8-10 specimens including both males and females, add other schooling fishes to provide security, and you'll be rewarded with a more natural-looking spectacle.

The interaction between rival males is also interesting to watch and they will display their best colours when competing for female attention or hierarchical position within the group.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

Describe what you saw, or which part of the source says this.

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males are more colourful and tend to grow larger than females. Males also develop highly-extended dorsal, ventral, anal and caudal fins whereas in female…

Reproduction

Has not been bred with any regularity in the aquarium hobby and few details are available. It's an egg-scatterer exhibiting no parental care, and one method of…

Notes

This species has occasionally been traded as 'blue diamond tetra' but is very rare in the aquarium hobby and may be threatened in nature. No recent key to the …

References

9 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References