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Congo TetraCongo TetraFamily: Alestiidae Phenacogrammus interruptusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken ChildsLatest Reader Comment - See More Can albino congo tetras live with discus? hisham The Congo Tetra has opalescent scales that shine in all the colors of the rainbow!Congo Tetra Contents An incredibly beautiful fish, the timid Congo Tetra is the most gorgeous of the true African Characins. Along with its fluorescent colors its tail fin develops into a most beautiful feathery appendage. It is a peaceful schooling fish and needs a large aquarium, not only to provide plenty of room to swim around, but to thrive and develop their full beauty as well. The Congo Tetra prefers soft, peat filtered water and a darker substrate. They are most comfortable in an aquarium with lower light levels which can be provided by floating plants. The beautiful rainbow colors of this fish will also show off best in lower light levels. These fish are easily frightened by aggressive tank mates and loud noises. Do not tap on the glass! These fish are also timid eaters and may wait for you to leave the aquarium before they will feed. For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Congo Tetra was described by Boulenger in 1899. They are found in Africa, in the upper Congo Basin where they feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plants.
- Scientific Name: Phenacogrammus interruptus
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
The Congo Tetra has a full-bodied typical tetra shape with rather large scales. When mature, the fluorescent colors of the Congo Tetra run through the fish from front to back starting with blue on top changing to red through the middle, to yellow-gold, and back to blue just above the belly. The fins are grayish violet with white edges.
- Maximum Size: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) - The males get up to 3.5 inches (8.9 cm). Females up to 2.75 inches (6 cm).
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
Since they are omnivorous the Congo Tetra will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.
- Diet Type: Omnivore - In the wild these fish are insectivores but can usually be trained to take live, flake, and pelleted foods.
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly
- Minimum Tank Size: 40 gal (151 L) - This fish should be kept in groups of at least six and requires plenty of swimming space.
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting - Low lighting and a shadowy tank set up will bring out the best coloration on this fish.
- Temperature: 73.0 - 82.0° F (22.8 - 27.8° C)
- Range ph: 6.0-7.5
- Hardness Range: 4 - 18 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: All
They are generally a good community fish but they may try to bite smaller fish. Also, watch that they don't eat your smaller plants. They sometimes like to nibble on softer plants and young shoots.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful - This fish has a very timid temprament and should not be housed with aggressive or fin nipping fish.
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive: (): Threat
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
- Plants: Safe
The male is larger with more color, also the tail fin and dorsal fin are more extended. If you look at the picture above, you can see the extension at the center of the tail fin. A mature female will be more rounded.
 Photo © Animal-World |
The Congo Tetras are egg layers. Some keys to breeding them include a large aquarium, peat filtered water, a planted substrate, and bright lighting to initiate spawning. They will lay up to 300 eggs that will drop to the bottom. The fry are large enough to eat freshly hatched brine shrimp. See the description of how to breed Characins in Breeding Freshwater Fish.
- Ease of Propagation: Moderate - Getting a pair to spawn is moderately difficult. The morning sun will initiate a pair to spawn in more shallow water. The parents should be removed after spawning.
The Congo Tetra is readily available but is more expensive than many tetras.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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