All fish / Alestidae

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Also known as congo tetra, congo, african congo tetra, yellow congo tetra, albino congo tetra, ปลาคองโกเตตร้า, tetra congo, コンゴテトラ, ikan congo tetra, 刚果扯旗鱼, 刚果灯

A large African tetra with iridescent scales that shine blue, gold and orange under good light, and males grow long, feathery grey-edged fins with an extended centre to the tail. It is kept as a showy but peaceful shoaling fish for roomy community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7.5 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more, ideally with more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and granules, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia, plus some plant matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Congo River basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among plants in soft, slightly acidic water, laying a few hundred eggs that take about six days to hatch. Breeding is achievable in a separate tank with conditioned adults, but the parents will eat eggs.

Good to know

Can be shy and lose colour in small or bare tanks, so give open swimming space with plants and dim light. Males' long fins may be nipped by barbs, and the fish may eat delicate plants.