Cherry Red Congo Tetra - The Blue Form a Different Species Entirely? | Alestopetersius brichardi

In this video, I examine the differences between the two forms of Brichardi Congo tetras. Those being, the Cherry Red and Blue forms of Alestopetersius brichardi. After keeping both forms for several years, I observed noticeable differences in their appearance and behavior, leading me to question whether they might represent distinct species.
I’ll discuss the key morphological features of both color morphs, such as body size, fin color, and jaw structure, based on my personal experiences and observations. The video also includes a look at how these differences might relate to their native environments and possible taxonomic distinctions.
While there is limited literature on the subject, I hope to offer a thoughtful comparison of these two varieties, using images of my own fish as well as external examples for context. For more detailed information I find Amazonas Magazine to be the most helpful resource:
digitaledition.amazonasmagazine.com/
This video is for entertainment purposes. Feel free to share your thoughts on the topic in the comments below, and if you're interested in more videos on Congo Tetras or related species, consider subscribing to the channel.

[@sydmiller2973]

So many amazing congo tetras that need to be more widespread! My favourites are the aurantiacus but i saw juveniles going for $95aud at the cheapest. Would you be able to do a video on spawning Alestopetersius and Phennocogrammus (if youve done it?)

[@HoonAquatics]

@sydmiller2973 Because of their timid nature and my collectoritis, I've never been setup to try to breed them! I have some young adult aurantiacus, too, that I can try to breed one day. I think a 29G to 40g breeder would be the easiest to make them feel comfortable enough to spawn. Egg collection becomes the next difficult part

[@HerFishTanks]

Wonderful video! I’m so pleased with the day to day color of mine (cherry red)….will be adding to my school when/if they become available again!

[@HoonAquatics]

@HerFishTanks I'm sure they'll look great with the new friends!

[@drockingfish]

Yes please do more! You never mentioned if you got any females?

[@HoonAquatics]

@drockingfish I had some, but was never set up to breed a tetra this large! I think a pair or trio would have been too spooked to spawn in the 20-gallon high which was the breeding tanks I had on hand. The females are smaller. You can sometimes see the male flick his dorsal fin at a female

[@drockingfish]

@@HoonAquatics wow ok, cool!

[@vannarasong]

man if i could house a 1000gallon tank, i'd house all the magnificent congos available in the trade from the common, to rares. great vid!

[@HoonAquatics]

That would look amazing! Hope you get to set that up one day!

[@peggylpw9249]

I'm looking for these. I bought the last three available via overnight mail order at $50 each - they were DOA.

[@HoonAquatics]

@@peggylpw9249 sorry to hear. Hope you can get some soon

[@Ccatsby]

Can you breed these pls? Dan stopped importing them lol. Most of what's out there are the blue kind, but the red is so nice.

[@HoonAquatics]

In terms of Afircan tetras, I am currently only keeping the Phenacogrammus aurantiacus (Lampeye Congo Tetra) at the moment. It has the most stable coloration of all of the rare Congo tetra types. I love the Brichardi types, but they were a bit more moody in color

[@HoonAquatics]

The Wetspot has been bringing in these for a long time and will probably keep bringing them in from time to time! The exporters in the Congo are not always the same quality found in other parts of the world.

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

The problem is they another fish that does best in schools but at $? each is just out of reach. Sort of like Roseline barbs. Somebody on an Australian channel said guppies are going for 7$ each.

[@HoonAquatics]

@StanTheObserver-lo8rx I think you're going to find that with most fish that I keep and showcase. This video is aimed not only to showcase a fish you might want to add and could come down in price. Or a fish that someone would never add, but wanted to see more of