TankBud

Niger yellow Congo tetra

Alestopetersius smykalai

Also known as Smykala's Congo tetra, Blue diamond Congo tetra

FreshwaterFish

Niger yellow Congo tetra (Alestopetersius smykalai)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer
Rarity
Rare
Family
Alestidae
Origin
Lower Niger basin, Nigeria

Overview

The Niger yellow Congo tetra is a calm schooling fish for the open middle of a peaceful community tank. It can be a little skittish and suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

Of all the fish sold as Congo tetras, the Niger yellow Congo tetra is the odd one out. It is the only one that does not come from the Congo at all.

Caring for the Niger yellow Congo tetra

Keep Niger yellow Congo tetras in a group of at least six to eight, in a tank of 29 gal (110 L) or more. A planted tank with driftwood and plenty of open water gives them room to swim. Subdued lighting, some shade and cover at the edges help them settle.

Keep the water soft and gently acidic to neutral, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. Avoid the warmer end of that range for long spells, since wild fish see cooler water. Feed a varied diet of quality flake or micropellets, with regular small frozen and live foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp.

These tetras are peaceful and settle best with other peaceful community fish. Give them gentle, quiet company rather than boisterous or nippy tank mates.

Males have a brilliant blue back, a long dorsal fin and a white-edged anal fin, while females are plainer. They scatter eggs like their relatives, but aquarium breeding is not reliably on record.

Good to know

Alestopetersius smykalai is a small alestid, named in honor of its collector, E. R. Smykala. Shops know it better as the blue diamond tetra, a name that comes from the color of the males. It has a very small natural range and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

In the wild

The Niger yellow Congo tetra is endemic to the lower Niger River basin in Nigeria. It lives in soft, near-neutral flowing water that is often surprisingly cool. Its home streams run over sand and leaf litter, with wood and cover along the margins.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Niger yellow 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Niger yellow Congo tetra need?

A Niger yellow Congo tetra needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Niger yellow Congo tetra need?

A Niger yellow Congo tetra is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

What does a Niger yellow Congo tetra eat?

A Niger yellow Congo tetra eats quality flake or micropellets as a staple. Add regular small frozen and live foods, such as daphnia and brine shrimp.

How big does a Niger yellow Congo tetra get?

An adult Niger yellow Congo tetra reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

Does a Niger yellow Congo tetra need a group?

Yes. A Niger yellow Congo tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How can you tell a male Niger yellow Congo tetra from a female?

Males have a brilliant blue back, a long dorsal fin and a white-edged anal fin. Females are plainer.

How does a Niger yellow Congo tetra breed?

The Niger yellow Congo tetra scatters its eggs like its relatives. Breeding it in the aquarium is not reliably on record.

Related species