Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 gal
- 90 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Alestidae
- Origin
- Congo Basin
Overview
Keep them in a school of six or more, ideally with a few males so they display to each other. They are peaceful, active swimmers that hold the middle of the tank, and they want at least 90 liters with room to move. Target the mid to high 20s C and a soft, slightly acidic to neutral pH. Feed a mix of quality flake or pellet plus live and frozen foods to keep their color strong.
In the wild
Congo tetras live in the slow, plant-lined waters of the Congo Basin in Central Africa, often under shade with a soft, dark bottom. The water is soft and a touch acidic to neutral. To bring out their best color, run a planted tank with dim or filtered lighting and an open lane down the middle for swimming. A darker substrate also helps them feel settled.
Good to know
Congo tetras belong to the African characin family Alestidae. They reach about 8 cm and are egg scatterers that give no parental care. Males grow longer, flowing fin extensions than females, which is the easiest way to tell them apart.
Did you know
Their scales throw off a shifting gold, blue, and violet sheen that only really develops on well-fed adult males in a settled group. A single fish in a bright bare tank looks washed out by comparison.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Congo tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Mekong lizard loach
Homaloptera confuzona
Freshwater3.2 in (8.2 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)
Blue-eyed livebearer
Priapella intermedia
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Lesser bleeding heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon socolofi
Freshwater2.2 in (5.6 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Agassiz's cory
Brochis agassizii
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Siamese flying barb
Laubuka siamensis
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Bangka rasbora
Rasbora bankanensis
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Congo tetra need?
A Congo tetra needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Congo tetra need?
A Congo tetra is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Congo tetra get?
An adult Congo tetra reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
Does a Congo tetra need a group?
Yes. A Congo tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Orange Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus aurantiacus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)22 gal (85 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)African moon tetra
Bathyaethiops caudomaculatus
3.1 in (8 cm) · 22 gal (85 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Brichard's Congo tetra
Alestopetersius brichardi
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Breuseghem's moon tetra
Bathyaethiops breuseghemi
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Niger yellow Congo tetra
Alestopetersius smykalai
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)21 gal (80 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Nigerian yellow line tetra
Rhabdalestes septentrionalis
2.8 in (7 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)