Congicus pterochromis
Pterochromis congicus
Also known as Congo wing cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 6.2–7.2
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 79 gal
- 300 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Central Congo basin
Overview
The Congicus pterochromis is a little-known Congo cichlid, mostly of interest to keepers who want something unusual and hard to find. It is a step up from the easiest fish.
Did you know
Boulenger described the Congicus pterochromis back in 1897, yet it remains one of the least understood cichlids in the Congo. It is rarely exported and little studied, so almost everything a keeper might want to know about its habits is still an open question.
Caring for the Congicus pterochromis
Keep the Congicus pterochromis as a single fish or a pair in at least 79 gal (300 L). Set the tank up like a quiet, shaded river margin, with driftwood, leaf litter, cover and some planting over a soft floor. It swims in the middle of the tank.
Give it gentle, soft water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.2 to 7.2. Tannin-stained water helps keep it comfortable.
It is thought to be at least partly predatory, taking small invertebrates and other prey. Offer a varied diet of frozen and sinking foods.
It is mostly peaceful, but its behavior with other fish is not well recorded. Introduce tank mates cautiously, and watch how it settles while you learn its habits. Its breeding is essentially undocumented, in the wild and in the aquarium, and no reliable spawning method has been recorded.
Good to know
The Congicus pterochromis is a Congo cichlid in the family Cichlidae. It is the only species in its genus, Pterochromis.
In the wild
The Congicus pterochromis lives in the central Congo basin, from the great pools of the middle river through lakes such as Tumba and Mai-Ndombe. The water there is warm, soft and slightly acidic.
Common questions
What size tank does a Congicus pterochromis need?
A Congicus pterochromis needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Congicus pterochromis need?
A Congicus pterochromis is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.2–7.2.
What does a Congicus pterochromis eat?
A Congicus pterochromis is thought to take small invertebrates and other prey. Offer it a varied diet of frozen and sinking foods.
How big does a Congicus pterochromis get?
An adult Congicus pterochromis reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
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