Ultimate Guide to Congo Tetra Care, Tank Setup, and Breeding

Key Information for Congo Tetra Care

Aspect	Details
Scientific Name	Phenacogrammus interruptus
Origin	Congo River Basin, Africa
Size	Up to 3 inches (males are larger with longer fins)
Lifespan	Up to 5 years
Temperament	Peaceful, best kept in groups of 6 or more
Tank Size	Minimum 40 gallons (3-foot tank recommended for swimming space)
Temperature	75–80°F (optimal: 77–80°F)
pH Range	6.5–8.2 (optimal: 8–8.2 in captivity)
Water Hardness	2–15 GH (10 GH is ideal in captivity)
Diet	Flakes, pellets, frozen brine shrimp; not picky eaters
Tank Mates	Small to medium cichlids (e.g., angels, keyholes), gouramis, tetras, etc.
Avoid Tank Mates	Shrimp or fin-nipping species like barbs
Breeding	Egg scatterers; remove adults after spawning
Spawning Conditions	Temp: 76–77°F, pH: ~6.5–7, low hardness (single digits)
Fry Care	Feed infusoria initially, then live baby brine shrimp
Aquascape	Add structure like wood, rocks, plants (live or fake)
Special Notes	Avoid nitrites/ammonia; keep nitrates under 20 ppm; ensure a cycled tank

Have I got a great species profile for you? This is the Congo Tetra. It’s an amazing fish that fits into a number of different setups. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the Congo Tetra, from its stunning appearance to its role in creating a vibrant aquascape.

Before diving into these incredible fish, let’s take a moment to appreciate their ideal tank environment. This tank showcases an expertly aquascaped habitat, ideal for Congo Tetras. I promise you, you will not be disillusioned. This species stands out in any aquarium setup, and their vibrant colors make them a centerpiece in a well-designed tank.

Congo Tetras

Yep, they are amazing. They actually come from Africa, even though they are Tetras, and they’re found in the Congo River basin.

Now, the water there isn’t hard like the Rift Lake cichlids would experience. It doesn’t have a really high pH. It actually mimics more of a South or Central American water system. The pH there is closer to 7, slightly on the acidic side. The water hardness is much lower than you’d find with the Rift Lake cichlids. In some ways, we keep these fish almost like other Tetras from South or Central America.

Now, if you’re interested in Congo Tetras or maybe you’ve just got them and are trying to figure out how to care for them, you’ll be glad to know they’re pretty easy to care for. What stands out most is their amazing color. Look at these fins! These fish grow fairly large for a Tetra. They can reach up to around 3 inches, maybe even a little larger. Males get bigger than females and tend to show more color. The fin trailers on males are also longer. Most of the fish in this aquarium are males.

The nice thing is that both males and females show color, and they are peaceful fish. If you’re looking for a peaceful schooling fish, this is a great option. Your best bet is to keep them in groups of at least six or more.

Lifespan and Tankmates

Congo Tetras can live up to five years. We’ve had them in our fish room for a long time, and they’ve been doing great. If you want to know what to keep with your Congo Tetras, you’ve got a lot of options.

Many people use this fish as a schooling species. They are active mainly in the middle to upper parts of the aquarium, As observed in a well-decorated aquarium.

They pair well with peaceful South and Central American cichlids like rainbow cichlids, keyhole cichlids, and angelfish.

Other great tankmates include Krebensis, Apistogramma, neon Tetras, cherry barbs, gouramis, mollies, and swordtails. Corydoras catfish and bristlenose plecos make excellent cleanup crew members for a Congo Tetra tank.

It’s best to avoid housing shrimp with Congo Tetras, as their natural instincts may lead them to prey on smaller tankmates.