Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus)
The Congo Tetra is quite popular in the aquarium hobby. These Tetras are active, timid and stunning fish. In addition, these Tetras are hardy, peaceful schooling fish that are excellent for beginner aquarists and community aquariums.
Congo Tetras typically stick in large groups in the wild. Therefore, it is crucial that you keep these fish in a group of no less than six individuals. Keeping these Tetras in more significant numbers create a spectacular swath of colour that will be the centre of attention in your aquarium.
Ideal tankmates for Congo Tetras can include other Tetras, Dwarf Barbs, various peaceful Cichlids, Rainbowfish, Loaches and Corydoras Catfish. However, it would be best if you did not keep Congo Tetras with species that may nip their intricate finnage or with much larger, more boisterous species due to their nervous nature.
The ideal aquarium setup for Congo Tetras would be an African biotope design with driftwood branches, floating vegetation and Anubias. However, their stunning colours will show up more in a well-planted aquarium. In addition, these Tetras will need plenty of swimming space and prefer soft and acidic water with excellent circulation. Finally, Congo Tetras get scared relatively quickly, so you should also make sure they have places to hide when they feel stressed.
Congo Tetras have a full-bodied typical Tetra shape with rather large scales. The males have beautiful greyish-violet fins with white edges, with the dorsal, anal, and tail fins sporting long veiled edges. These fish have rich opalescent colours running along the body from front to back, blue on top, shifting to a yellowish-gold down through the middle and then back to blue just above the belly. In addition, these Tetras also have red colouring on their heads.
Tank Mates for the Congo Tetra
10 ideal tank mate ideas for the Congo Tetra include:
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phenacogrammus interruptus |
| Year Described | 1899 |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Family | Alestidae |
| Genus | Phenacogrammus |
| Origins | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.2 - 7.2 |
| GH | 4 -18 |
| KH | 4 - 8 |
| TDS | 150 - 250 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 75 - 81℉ 23.9 - 27.2℃ | |
Photos of the Congo Tetra
Natural Habitat
Congo Tetras are endemic to the River Congo's upper reaches in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. You can find these Tetras in slow-moving and shaded waters in rivers, streams, pools, and marshes where they prefer murky, slightly acidic water with aquatic plants and dark substrates, typically sand, silt and mud. You will not find many rocks or tree branches in their habitats..
What to feed the Congo Tetra
Congo Tetras require large quantities of food in their diet and will eat several times a day. Therefore, the Congo Tetra will readily accept live, frozen and freeze-dried food such as dried worms, bloodworms, daphnia or green vegetables.
These fish will also require high-quality dried food such as pellets, granules and flakes as this will provide them with a balanced diet allowing them to retain their bright colouration.
Unfortunately, if there is a lack of plant elements, they will start eating soft plants used for decoration.
How to sex the Congo Tetra
It is relatively easy to differentiate between males and female Congo Tetras. Males are much brighter, bolder and slightly larger than females, and their caudal and dorsal fin are more elongated and edged in white. In contrast, females are somewhat smaller, duller being mainly golden, with a silverish green hue and their fins are not as impressive as the males.
How to breed the Congo Tetra
Although not impossible, it isn't easy to breed Congo Tetras as their spawning is seasonal, and successfully getting a pair to produce in the aquarium is somewhat tricky.
To breed them, you will need to provide a large aquarium with peat-filtered water. It would be best to have relatively bright lighting in the tank as this will help induce reproduction. You should also make sure you add plenty of moss or equivalent as this is where the fish will lay their eggs to hatch.
The male will perform a dance display for the female. She will then go into the moss at the bottom of the tank, where the male will follow her, and they will then start breeding.
Once the female has laid her eggs, they will fall into the moss. This is a good thing because it offers protection. However, when the fish have finished breeding, you should remove the adults from the tank as Congo Tetras are known to consume the eggs.
Approximately a week later, the tiny fish fry will start to emerge. You can feed them infusoria initially for a few days. Then, after about a week, you may begin to feed them baby brine shrimp and microworm. The fish will be large enough to eat powered fish food by the two-week mark.