Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
A large African tetra with shimmering scales and long, feathery fins on the males; peaceful but skittish, so it needs a roomy tank.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3.1 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 34 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful, shy
- Care level
- 3 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Flakes, pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp
- Origin
- Congo River basin, Central Africa
- Hardier than35%
- Bigger than51%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Congo tetra tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cardinal tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusCongo tetra outcompetes the slow-eating Otocinclus for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish eats small fish: Congo tetra.Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidCongo tetra outcompetes the slow-eating Blood parrot cichlid for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Congo tetra.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Congo tetra.Risky
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat young or small Congo tetra; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Tiger barbTiger barbs ruin Congo tetra fins.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Congo tetra: prey body depth 1.8 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Congo tetra: prey body depth 1.8 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Congo tetra: prey body depth 1.8 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- SeverumSeverum can eat Congo tetra: prey body depth 1.8 cm ≤ mouth 5.0 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for Congo tetras: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 8 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 11.23 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 4.91 BU
- Min. water
- 108 L net
- Min. footprint
- 120 × 30 cm per group
- Min. height
- 30 cm
- Group
- 6+ (best 8)
- Swims in
- middle, top
- Flow
- moderate
- Body / fins
- fusiform, long trailing fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Phenacogrammus interruptus · FishBase: Phenacogrammus interruptus
Care notes
Congo tetras come from the Congo River basin in Central Africa. Their iridescent colours and the frilled fins of the males only develop fully as the fish mature.
Keep a group in a tank at least 4 feet long, around 29 gallons, with some current; small groups are nervous. Never mix them with fin nippers, which ruin the males' fins.
Questions
What size tank does a congo tetra need?
At least 34 gallons (108 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3.1 inches without fins.
How many Congo tetras should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 8 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do Congo tetras need?
73–79 °F, pH 6–7.5 and 3–18 dGH. Congo tetras come from Congo River basin, Central Africa.
How long do Congo tetras live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with Congo tetras?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Cherry shrimp. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.