Tshuapa

The cherry red Congo tetra, Alestopetersius brichardi, is an alestid from the middle Congo and tributaries such as the Busira and Ruki in DR Congo. It has also been sold under the misapplied names A. nigropterus and A. ansorgii. Adult males develop extended median caudal-fin rays, with a broad dark lateral stripe running from behind the eye to their tip, and the species is lively and somewhat skittish but generally peaceful.

The African butterfly barb, 'Barbus' hulstaerti, is a cyprinid endemic to DR Congo, in rainforest south and east of the main Congo River channel. It reappeared in the trade in 2006 after an absence of 25 years. It lives in slow-moving, shady rainforest streams and swamps with very soft, acidic, brown-stained water, and its shy, retiring nature makes it unsuitable for most community tanks.

The leopard bushfish, Ctenopoma acutirostre, is an anabantoid from the middle Congo River basin, from Malebo Pool upstream to Boyoma Falls. Often sold as 'spotted climbing perch', it mimics leaves and other debris to stalk its prey, much like the unrelated South American leaf fish. Exceptionally hardy and long-lived, it can survive for over 15 years and makes an ideal species for the newcomer to 'oddballs'.