Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Iridescent scales flash blue, gold and violet as a school of Congos turns in the light. Males grow feathery tail extensions.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 8 cm, lives in the middle of the tank in groups of 5 or more and needs 23–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and an aquarium of at least 120 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

23–28 °C (73–82 °F)

pH

6.0–7.5

Adult size

8 cm (3.1 in)

Aquarium

120 L or bigger (32 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

5 or more

Swims

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Congo River basin

Good to know

• Long fins. An easy target for fin nippers.

Tank mates

Good company: Bristlenose Pleco, Corydoras, Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gourami, Kuhli Loach, Marbled Hatchetfish, Otocinclus, Pearl Gourami, Siamese Algae Eater, Zebra Danio.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Harassed by: Black Skirt Tetra, Pea Puffer, Serpae Tetra, Tiger Barb.

Eats the newborn fry of: Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Corydoras, Crystal Red Shrimp, Dwarf Gourami and 23 more.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Betta, Black Ghost Knifefish, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Discus, Dwarf Gourami, Electric Blue Acara, Fancy Goldfish and 11 more.

Grown ones eat their own newborn fry, so raise the young in another aquarium.

Colours and breeding

• Classic rare

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.4 cm long and take after one of the parents.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.