Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

When it comes to tetras the Congo is one of the largest. It's scales are also unproportionately large being noticeably visible from a distance.

The metallic pigments on the fish's surface produces flashes of silver, blue and gold as it flits around the aquarium. Long soft fins contrast with the shiny body as they trail behind the swimming fish.

Compared with more well known tetras the congo tetra has a very distinct body shape. It's body is more shaped like a rainbow fish than typical tetras which tend to be less oval shaped.

Congo Tetra Aquarium & Companions

This tetra enjoys swimming in a school with it's tank mates. Provide Congo tetras with ample free swimming space to keep it content. It's larger size than other tetras makes it less prone to predatation by pisciverous fish.

Feeding Congo Tetras

These fish will consume a diet of aquatic insects and larvae in it's natural habitat. In the aquarium protein based flake food is a suitable substitute. Some live or frozen foods such as bloodworms should also be offered regularly.

Breeding The Congo Tetra

A conditioned pair of Congo tetras are not hard to spawn. Feed with live and frozen foods to bring them to their optimum condition. Breeders have reported egg laying success after a partial water change or exposing the aquarium to morning sunlight. The fish will choose fine leaved plants to spawn over and the fry should hatch after 6 days. New fry are large enough to consume baby brine shrimp which will give the growing fish all of their nutritional requirements.

This pair of congo tetras spawn freely in a busy community aquarium.

Congo Tetra Profile

Family - Characidae

Size - 7-10 cm

Fish Origin - Central Africa

Water - Soft to medium hardness and pH neutral to slightly acidic.

Temperature - 22-26°C

Feeding - Small live foods and tetra flake.

Sexing - Mature males have longer flowing fins.

Breeding - Egg scatterer without captive breeding problems.

Aquarium - Peaceful community fish needing ample free swimming space.

Congo Tetra Video

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