Boulenger's Featherfin Tetra
Bryconaethiops boulengeri
Boulenger's featherfin tetra exhibits a slender body with striking blue-green iridescence and elongated, delicate fins, enhancing its graceful appearance.
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About the Boulenger's Featherfin Tetra
A big, fast African tetra from the Congo River basin, it cruises the mid-to-upper water in active groups and flashes a bold broken stripe along its flanks. In the wild it hunts insects at the surface and can leap, so aquariums need tight lids. Keep it with robust tankmates it cannot swallow.
Also known as
Quick Facts
Size
25 cm
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Difficulty
Intermediate
Min Tank Size
75 gallons
Lifespan
5-8 years
Origin
Central Africa
Diet
Insectivore-leaning omnivore - terrestrial and aquatic insects; accepts flakes, pellets, and frozen foods
Water Parameters
22-27°C
6-8
5-20 dGH
Need a heater for this species?
This species needs 22-27°C in a 75 gallon tank. Use our heater calculator to find the right wattage.
Calculate heater sizeCare Notes
- Give them at least a 75-gallon tank with a tight-fitting lid; this big, fast tetra cruises the upper levels and will jump.
- Keep water 22-27 C, pH 6-8, hardness 5-20 dGH, and keep it clean and well oxygenated.
- Feed an insect-heavy menu: terrestrial and aquatic insects when you can, backed by quality flakes, pellets, and frozen foods.
- They do best in active groups of their own kind, where their energy is focused on schooling rather than nipping.
- Pick tankmates that are robust and too big to be swallowed; avoid small fish and shrimp that will be viewed as prey.
- Leave open mid-to-upper swimming lanes and place decor to the sides/back so they can sprint without collisions.
- Captive breeding is not well documented for this species, so do not expect to breed them at home; plan for 5-8 years and a potential 25 cm adult size.
Compatibility
Good Tankmates
- Other large, fast African characins kept in groups (e.g., Brycinus/Alestes and adult Congo tetras) - similar speed, deep-bodied, and too big to be swallowed
- Medium-large rainbowfish (10-15 cm) in groups - quick open-water swimmers that match this species' pace and are not bite-sized
- Synodontis catfish (medium to large) - armored bottom dwellers that ignore midwater commotion and resist harassment
- Robust plecos such as bristlenose and other medium loricariids - nocturnal, armored, and bottom-oriented
- Hardy West/Central African riverine cichlids that are not hyper-aggressive and reach 15+ cm (kept as single specimens or carefully chosen pairs) - large enough to avoid predation and to hold their own
- Fast, group-kept loaches of 12-15 cm or more (e.g., yo-yo loaches) - active bottom fish that are too big to be targeted
Avoid
- Small fish and invertebrates that fit in a 25 cm predator's mouth (neons, rasboras, small livebearers, cherry shrimp) - will be hunted or swallowed
- Slow or long-finned species and surface sitters (angelfish, gouramis, African butterflyfish, hatchetfish) - prone to harassment and outcompeted at feeding time
- Fin nippers and combative cichlids (tiger barbs, jewel cichlids, mbuna, convicts) - escalate aggression and cause injuries
- Very timid or nocturnal ambush predators (brown knifefish, leaf fish, ropefish) - stressed by constant fast midwater traffic
Boulenger's Featherfin Tetra (Bryconaethiops boulengeri) is a big, fast African characin from the Congo River basin. Adults can reach 25 cm, so this is not a community nano tetra. It cruises the mid-to-upper water in active groups, flashing a bold broken stripe along the flanks. In the wild it hunts insects at the surface and can leap; aquariums need tight lids. With the right space and tankmates, it can be a lively show fish that lives 5-8 years.
Origin and natural habitat
Central Africa, primarily the Congo River basin. It is a midwater fish that patrols open water and the surface for drifting and fallen insects. Its speed and tendency to leap are tied to this surface-feeding lifestyle.
Aquarium setup and water conditions
Give this species room to move. A long, open swimming area is more important than dense decor. Use hardscape and plants around the edges to leave clear lanes through the middle and upper levels. Robust filtration and regular maintenance help keep up with the waste produced by large, active fish.
- Minimum tank size: 75 US gallons
- Temperature: 22-27 C
- pH: 6-8
- Hardness: 5-20 dGH
This fish jumps. Fit a tight, gap-free lid and cover openings around filter pipes and cables.
Diet and feeding
An insectivore-leaning omnivore. Offer a varied mix of quality flakes or pellets along with frozen or occasional live foods. Items that suit its natural feeding style include floating sticks or pellets, frozen insect larvae, and small terrestrial insects (for example, appropriately sized crickets or fruit flies). Feed in small portions so the most assertive individuals do not monopolize the food.
Behaviour and tankmates
An active, semi-aggressive species that spends most of its time in the mid-to-upper water. It is best kept in a group rather than as a lone specimen. Expect some chasing and posturing during feeding and in open water.
- Choose robust, similarly sized tankmates that can handle fast movement.
- Avoid small fish and invertebrates that can be swallowed.
- Steer clear of very slow or long-finned species that may be harassed.
Common problems and how to avoid them
- Jumping: Use a tight lid; keep fish calm with consistent lighting and avoid sudden disturbances near the tank.
- Outgrowing setups: Plan for adult size (up to 25 cm) and strong swimming; undersized tanks amplify aggression and stress.
- Predation on small fish: Stock only with tankmates too large to be eaten.
- Feeding scuffles: Spread food across the surface and offer multiple small feedings to reduce competition.
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