Moderate

Congo Tetra

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Complete Congo Tetra care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Congo Tetra

Quick Answer

Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) is a large, graceful tetra from the Congo River basin. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) is a large, graceful tetra from the Congo River basin. Males develop long, flowing fin extensions and a mix of blue, gold, and orange iridescence.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger tank with open swimming space and dark substrate. Floating plants help diffuse light and make colors pop. Moderate filtration with some current.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts flakes, pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and vegetable matter. Variety enhances coloration.

Compatibility

Peaceful but may nip very long fins of slow fish. Keep in groups of 6+. Good tankmates: larger tetras, Rainbowfish, peaceful cichlids like Bolivian Rams.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Congo Tetras should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 6 to 8 individuals in a tank of at least 40 gallons (150 liters) with a footprint of 36x15 inches (90x38 cm). Congo tetras (Phenacogrammus interruptus) are active, open-water swimmers whose iridescent rainbow scaling and trailing fins develop best in groups of 10+. Groups under 6 cause fin-nipping, color loss, and stress. Maintain a 1 male to 2-3 female ratio; males display more intense colors when competing. Provide open swimming lanes and dark substrate. Tank length must exceed 36 inches (90 cm) for their rapid swimming.
What are the exact water parameters for Congo Tetras?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.5, General Hardness 4 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 3 - 8 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 80 - 250 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 160 - 500 μS/cm, and temperature 74°F - 82°F (23°C - 28°C). They prefer soft, neutral water but adapt to slightly harder conditions. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a canister filter with moderate flow; strong currents stress them. Add driftwood and floating plants to diffuse light. Hardness below 3 dGH causes clamped fins and reduced breeding.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Congo Tetras?
They are omnivores requiring 40% protein, 12% fat, 48% plant matter. Feed high-quality tropical flakes, slow-sinking pellets, freeze-dried krill, and frozen brine shrimp twice daily. Supplement with spirulina flakes and blanched peas weekly. They have large mouths; offer larger pellets (1-2 mm). Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe for flukes. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days. They are susceptible to neon tetra disease; remove infected fish.
How to breed Congo Tetras in captivity?
Select 8-10 mature fish (1 year old) and condition with live blackworms and brine shrimp for 3 weeks. Set up a 20-gallon (75 liter) breeding tank with 6 inches (15 cm) of water (pH 6.5, dGH 5, 78°F/25.5°C), a spawning mop, and dim light. Simulate dawn over 30 minutes. Spawning occurs in the morning; female lays 200-400 adhesive eggs. Remove parents after 4 hours. Eggs hatch in 5-6 days at 75°F (24°C). Fry are 0.15 inches (4 mm); feed infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp. Grow-out requires frequent water changes (30% twice weekly).

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