Bryconaethiops boulengeri
Boulenger's Featherfin Tetra
Last revised 2026Edit this page
On this page11 sections
Quick factsEdit
Difficulty5 of 8 measures
- Space
- large tank
- Water
- flexible
- Temp
- needs a steady temperature
- Diet
- unknown
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Social
- needs to be in a group
- Compatibility
- unknown
Other demands
Each of these can raise the rating on its own, whatever the measures above say.
- Hardiness
- unknown
- Needs strong current, with the filter turning the tank over 8–12 times an hour
Boulenger's featherfin tetra, Bryconaethiops boulengeri, is a large alestid characin from the Congo river basin and Lake Tanganyika. Rarely imported, it is a peaceful shoaling species for a community of larger fish, and is farmed commercially for food in its native countries. It grows to 250 mm SL.
Distribution
EditNative to the Congo river basin in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo and Zambia. It's also found in Lake Tanganyika.
Habitat
Write a noteEditRivers and lakes.
Aquarium size
Write a noteEditAn active species that needs a tank measuring at least 120 ∗ 45 ∗ 45 cm48 ∗ 18 ∗ 18 in - ~243 litres~64 US gal.
Maintenance
Write a noteEditIt requires a good flow of water through the tank, and decent oxygenation. The choice of decor isn't critical, but a substrate of sand with some driftwood branches, and perhaps some smooth rocks can look very effective. Try to leave as much open swimming space as possible.
Water conditions
EditTemperature: 22 – 26 °C72 – 79 °F
pH: 6.0-8.0
Hardness: 3-20°H
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Diet
Write a noteEditOmnivorous. Offer a mixture of live, frozen and dried foods. Prawns and live earthworms are particularly relished.
Behaviour and compatibility
Write a noteEditPeaceful with anything that isn't too small as to be considered food. Best kept with other similarly-sized characins, robust cichlids, Loricariids and other bottom dwellers such as Polypterus species. It's a shoaling species so buy a group if possible.
Sexual dimorphism
Write a noteEditUnknown.
Reproduction
Write a noteEditUnrecorded in the hobby.
Notes
EditThis rarely imported species makes an attractive addition to a community of larger peaceful fish. It is farmed commercially for food in its native countries.
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Also missing: taxonomic authority, etymology.
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