Long-finned Alestes Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Long-finned Alestes are lively West African characins with a streamlined, silvery body and a noticeable golden to bronze sheen along the flanks. The fins are generally clear, while mature males develop especially extended dorsal and anal fins that give the species its common name. A dark lateral marking and reflective scales can become more striking when the fish are settled and displaying.

Long-finned Alestes are native to rivers and streams in tropical West Africa, including parts of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. They inhabit the freshwater systems of the Upper and Lower Guinea forest regions.

A group should have an aquarium of at least 120 litres, ideally measuring around 100 cm long by 40 cm wide, because these fast-moving fish make good use of horizontal swimming space. Use a soft sand or fine-gravel substrate, open water through the centre, and plant the sides and rear with sturdy vegetation. Driftwood, roots and shaded areas provide cover without restricting movement, while a secure lid is important because startled Alestes can jump. Moderate flow and subdued areas beneath floating plants help recreate the varied conditions of their forested river habitat.

Up to about 12 cm (4.7 in) in total length. Females are usually slightly deeper-bodied and may reach the larger end of the range, while males are often a little slimmer but have longer, more ornate fins.

Long-finned Alestes are omnivorous opportunistic feeders. Offer a varied staple of quality flakes or small pellets supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae and bloodworm. Small portions of finely crushed spirulina-based food or other vegetable matter can also be included, particularly for balance and colour development.

These active schooling fish are best kept with peaceful, similarly sized African tetras and other robust community species, including Congo tetras, larger barbs, rainbowfish, peaceful danios and suitable Synodontis catfish. They can also live with calm medium-sized cichlids that will not treat them as prey. Avoid very small fish, slow long-finned species and timid tankmates, as Long-finned Alestes are energetic and may outcompete delicate fish at feeding time; they should not be housed with aggressive cichlids or fin-nipping species.

Long-finned Alestes are egg-scattering characins that can be bred in a separate, dimly lit spawning aquarium with soft, slightly acidic water and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop. Condition a group with plenty of live or frozen foods, then introduce well-matched adults. Spawning usually takes place among the plants, after which the adults should be removed because they may eat the eggs. The eggs hatch in roughly 24 to 36 hours, and the free-swimming fry need very small first foods such as infusoria or commercially prepared liquid fry food before progressing to newly hatched brine shrimp.

Males are generally slimmer and develop more elongated dorsal and anal fins, particularly when mature or displaying. Females tend to have a fuller abdomen, especially when carrying eggs, and their fins are usually less extended.