Description
Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus)
Overview
Phenacogrammus interruptus, commonly known as the Congo Tetra, is a vibrant, peaceful freshwater fish native to the Congo River Basin in Central Africa, specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo. Known for its iridescent, rainbow-like colouration—shimmering hues of blue, gold, red, and violet—and flowing fins, this species is a favorite among aquarists. Males are larger, reaching up to 8.5 cm, while females are smaller, around 6 cm. Congo Tetras are schooling fish that thrive in groups, adding elegance and dynamic movement to community aquariums. They are moderately hardy but require stable water conditions to maintain their vivid colours and health.
Care Requirements
Tank Size:
Minimum 120 liters for a school of 6–8 fish; 120 litres or larger is ideal to accommodate their active swimming and schooling Behaviour.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 22–28°C; (24–27°C optimal for breeding)
- pH: 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard water)
- Clean, well-oxygenated water with nitrate levels below 50 mg/L is essential.
Aquarium Setup:
- Substrate: Fine gravel or sand, preferably dark, to mimic their natural riverbed habitat and enhance colouration.
- Decor: Dense live or artificial plants (e.g., Java moss, Anubias, Java fern) along the back and sides, with driftwood and dried leaves (e.g., Indian almond) to release tannins for a blackwater effect. Provide open swimming space in the center.
- Filtration: Reliable, gentle filtration (e.g., sponge or low-flow canister filter) with a turnover of 4–5 times the tank volume per hour to maintain water quality without strong currents.
- Lighting: Subdued lighting to replicate their shaded, natural environment. Floating plants (e.g., Salvinia) can diffuse light and reduce stress.
- Cover: A secure lid is necessary, as Congo Tetras may jump when startled.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: Perform 20–30% water changes weekly or 25% biweekly using dechlorinated water to maintain low nitrate levels and stable parameters. Use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine.
- Tank Cleaning: Lightly vacuum substrate to remove debris, preserving some organic matter to mimic their natural habitat. Clean glass and decorations sparingly to maintain the tank’s ecosystem.
- Equipment Checks: Regularly inspect filters, heaters, and thermometers to ensure stable conditions. Test water parameters weekly for pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.
- Monitoring: Watch for signs of stress (e.g., faded colours, hiding, clamped fins) or diseases like ich, fin rot, or velvet disease. Quarantine new fish to prevent disease introduction. Poor water quality can impair male fin development and colouration.
Diet
- Primary Food: Omnivorous, feeding on small worms, insects, crustaceans, algae, and plant matter in the wild.
- Recommended Foods:
- High-quality flake foods or micro-pellets as a staple diet (60% animal-based, 40% plant-based to prevent nibbling on tank plants).
- Live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and mosquito larvae to enhance colouration and health.
- Vegetable-based foods such as spirulina flakes, blanched spinach, zucchini, or cucumber for dietary variety.
- Feeding Frequency: Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily, ensuring food is consumed within 3–5 minutes to avoid overfeeding and water pollution. They are timid eaters and may wait until undisturbed to feed.
Behaviour and Compatibility
Behaviour:
Peaceful, timid, and schooling, Congo Tetras thrive in groups of 6–12 or more, which reduces stress and encourages natural shoaling Behaviour. Males may display vibrant colours and chase each other to establish dominance, but aggression is minimal. They swim primarily in the middle and upper water columns.
Compatibility:
- Compatible Tankmates: Peaceful, similarly sized fish such as other tetras (e.g., Neon Tetras), rainbowfish, Corydoras, Loricariids (e.g., Otocinclus), Synodontis, small rasboras, dwarf cichlids (e.g., Pelvicachromis, Apistogramma), guppies, and mollies.
- Incompatible Tankmates: Avoid aggressive, boisterous, or fin-nipping fish (e.g., tiger barbs) and large predatory species (e.g., large cichlids), as Congo Tetras are shy and vulnerable. They may nip at smaller fish or slow-moving, long-finned species in cramped conditions.
- Note: A mixed-sex school with 2–3 females per male reduces breeding-related aggression. Their timid nature makes them unsuitable for tanks with loud noises or frequent disturbances.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding in Captivity: Challenging but possible with a dedicated setup. They are egg-scatterers with no parental care, often eating their eggs if not separated.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
