Do Congo Tetras need a planted aquarium?

While not strictly mandatory, they highly appreciate a planted tank. Dense perimeter planting provides them with cover and security, which reduces stress and encourages them to display their most vibrant, iridescent colours.

How can I tell male and female Congo Tetras apart?

Males are significantly more colourful, grow larger (up to 8.5cm), and develop long, flowing finnage, including a distinct central extension on their tail fin. Females are smaller, plumper, and have a much duller, silvery appearance with shorter fins.

Why are my Congo Tetras losing their colour?

Colour loss is usually a sign of stress. This can be caused by poor water quality, an uncycled aquarium, an insufficient shoal size (fewer than six), or aggressive tankmates. Subdued lighting and dark substrates also help them colour up naturally.

Will Congo Tetras eat my aquarium plants?

They are primarily carnivorous/omnivorous and rarely damage hardy plants. However, if they are not fed enough green matter in their diet, they might occasionally nibble on very soft, newly sprouting leaves.

Are Congo Tetras fin nippers?

Generally, no. They are peaceful schooling fish. However, if kept in a tank that is too small or in a group of fewer than six, they can become stressed and may occasionally nip at each other or slow-moving tankmates with long fins.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

A large, iridescent African tetra renowned for its flowing fins and shimmering, multi-coloured scales.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 28 °C
pH range: 6 – 7.5
Hardness: 3 – 18 dGH
Adult size: 6 – 8.5 cm
120cm (4ft) minimum length recommended for adults: 120 litres+
Lifespan: 3 – 8 years
Diet: Omnivorous
Water flow: Moderate
Preferred setup: Dark substrate, open central swimming space, and dense perimeter planting.

About the Congo Tetra

The Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) is arguably the crown jewel of African tetras. Hailing from the dark, tannin-stained waters of the Congo River basin, this species offers a spectacular display of iridescence. Males are particularly striking, boasting flowing, elongated finnage and scales that reflect a rainbow of gold, blue, and red hues under the right aquarium lighting. They are highly active, schooling fish that bring constant movement and brilliant flashes of colour to the middle levels of a spacious community aquarium.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Congo Tetra against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Congo Tetra comes from

Native range

Congo River Basin

Countries / regions

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo

Habitat

Slow-moving, heavily vegetated forest streams, tributaries, and pools with tannin-stained water.

Native predominantly to the central Congo River basin, including the Malebo Pool area.

Similar species

Diamond Tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
Emperor Tetra
Nematobrycon palmeri
Yellow-tailed Violet Cichlid
Gephyrochromis moorii

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher
An excellent West African biotope companion that occupies the bottom level while the tetras inhabit the mid-water.
Great
Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras spp.
Peaceful bottom-dwellers that will not interfere with the mid-water swimming space of the tetras.
Great
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus spp.
Hardy, peaceful algae eaters that share similar water parameter requirements and stay out of the tetras' way.
Great
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Known for fin-nipping; they may target the long, trailing finnage of male Congo Tetras.
Compatible with caution
Betta (Male)
Betta splendens
Congo Tetras are highly active and large enough to outcompete and stress a Betta, whilst the Betta may attack the tetras' flowing fins.
Not recommended

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