TankBud

Congo bushfish

Microctenopoma congicum

Also known as Ctenopoma congicum, Congo ctenopoma

FreshwaterFish

Congo bushfish (Microctenopoma congicum)
Frank M. Greco · CC BY 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3 in
7.5 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Bubble nester · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Anabantidae
Origin
Congo basin

Overview

The Congo bushfish is a small, calm African labyrinth fish for a shaded, planted tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

Africa evolved its own line of labyrinth fishes in parallel with the gouramis of Asia. The Congo bushfish's bubble nest is the same trick a gourami uses, worked out on a different continent.

Caring for the Congo bushfish

Keep the Congo bushfish as a pair or trio in a shaded, planted tank of at least 20 gal (75 L). Rival males spar, so use dense planting, driftwood and caves to break up sight lines. Leaf litter and dim lighting over a soft, dark bottom suit it.

Give it warm, soft to neutral water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, with gentle filtration. Feed meaty foods such as bloodworm, small earthworms and frozen or live items.

The Congo bushfish hunts by drifting quietly up to its prey, so treat it as calm but predatory. It is mostly peaceful but will eat fish small enough to swallow. Keep it with gentle West Africans of a similar size.

Floating plants that cut the light help it feel secure and encourage it to build a nest. The male blows a raft of bubbles to hold the eggs, then guards the eggs and fry until they swim free. Breeding it is a moderate challenge.

Good to know

Microctenopoma congicum is an African labyrinth fish in the family Anabantidae. It was long sold under its old name, Ctenopoma congicum, and is also called the Congo ctenopoma. Like others in its genus, it breathes air at the surface through a labyrinth organ.

In the wild

The Congo bushfish lives in the Congo basin, in slow, shaded, well-vegetated stream margins and backwaters.

Common questions

What size tank does a Congo bushfish need?

A Congo bushfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Congo bushfish need?

A Congo bushfish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Congo bushfish eat?

A Congo bushfish eats meaty foods, such as bloodworm, small earthworms and frozen or live items. It will also eat fish small enough to swallow.

How big does a Congo bushfish get?

An adult Congo bushfish reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).

How does a Congo bushfish breed?

Males blow a raft of bubbles to hold the eggs, then guard the eggs and fry until the young swim free. Floating plants encourage nest building, and breeding a Congo bushfish is a moderate challenge.

Related species