All fish / Alestidae

Yellow-tailed Congo tetra

Alestopetersius caudalis

Also known as yellow tailed congo tetra, yellow-tail congo tetra, yellow congo tetra, phenacogrammus caudalis, yellowtail tetra, yellow tail african tetra, イエローテール・コンゴテトラ, 黄尾刚果灯, 黄尾刚果扯旗

This African tetra has a silvery body with a bluish sheen and a bright yellow tail edged in black, and the males grow longer, more pointed fins. It is a lively but peaceful shoaling fish, and it is kept as a smaller, more colourful option than the common Congo tetra for planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and small pellets, plus frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lower Congo River basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo

Breeding

It scatters eggs among plants or a mesh in soft, slightly acidic water, and the parents will eat the eggs if left in. Spawning in captivity can be done but is not easy, and the tiny fry need infusoria first, then newly hatched brine shrimp.

Good to know

Keep it in a group to avoid stress and nervous behaviour. It can nip slow fish with long fins, and wild-caught fish may need careful acclimatisation.