Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Family: Alestidae • Origin: Africa
Congo Tetras are the royalty of the tetra world. Males display iridescent rainbow colors and flowing fins. They need space but reward you with a spectacular display.
Min Tank
30 gal
Max Size
3.5"
Temperature
75-81°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
6+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
3-12 dGH
peacefulintermediateomnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Need a 30+ gallon tank
- • Males have flowing extensions
- • Avoid fin-nippers
- • Prefers subdued lighting
- • Keep in groups of 6-8
Feeding: Flakes, pellets, frozen foods, vegetable matter.
Compatibility Notes: Peaceful but large. Needs a bigger tank than most tetras. Males have flowing fins — avoid fin-nippers.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 55 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 3–12
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Peaceful but large. Needs a bigger tank than most tetras. Males have flowing fins — avoid fin-nippers.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 5 years
Ideal For
30 gallonplanted tankcommunity
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
False Rummy Nose Tetra
Petitella georgiae
75-82°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Diamond Tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
75-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Pencilfish
Nannostomus beckfordi
75-82°FpH 5.5-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"