Congo Tetra care guide
Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) — minimum tank 100 L, temperature 23-28 °C, pH 6-7.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) is an iridescent alestid native to the Congo River basin in Central Africa. Mature males display flowing, frayed-looking dorsal and caudal fins and a body that shifts colour from blue and turquoise to gold under aquarium lighting.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alestiidae
- Genus: Phenacogrammus
- Scientific name: Phenacogrammus interruptus
Habitat
Native to slow-flowing tributaries of the central Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic water with dense vegetation along banks.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (26.4 US gal)
- Adult size: 6-8 cm
- Temperature: 23-28 °C (73-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- School size: ≥6 individuals
Diet
An omnivore. Offer flakes, pellets and a variety of small live or frozen foods (daphnia, bloodworms, brine shrimp).
Compatibility
A peaceful schooling species. Keep a group of at least six in a long, well-planted aquarium with subdued lighting that emphasises the iridescence. Avoid combinations with fin-nippers that may damage the males’ extended fins.
Breeding
An egg-scatterer. Spawning is induced by soft, slightly acidic water and bright morning lighting; eggs are scattered over fine-leaved plants and sink to the substrate. Remove parents after spawning.
Breeding Congo Tetra
Overview
The Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) is an egg-scattering characin of family Alestiidae from the central Congo River basin in Africa. Breeding is described as not easy but possible, and the species shows no parental care. Fish reach sexual maturity at roughly 9 to 12 months.
Sexing
Males are larger and far more colourful than females. They develop extended filaments in the caudal fin and a greatly extended dorsal fin; during courtship the colour intensifies and the fin rays are displayed.
Conditioning
Condition the adults on live and frozen foods, then select the best-coloured male and the heaviest female for a spawning attempt.
Breeding Setup
Use a small aquarium with a mesh base so eggs fall through and are protected from the parents. Subdued lighting and clumps of plants help induce spawning. Breeding water should be soft and below neutral pH; reported parameters are pH 6.0-7.5 at 24-27 °C.
- Temperature: 24-27 °C
- pH: 6.0-7.5, soft and below neutral
- Spawning base: mesh allowing eggs to fall through, plus plant clumps
- Lighting: subdued
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
After chasing by the male, the pair spawns side by side with a quivering motion. A single female may deposit up to 300 large adhesive eggs over several days of spawning activity, though 100-200 is more common.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in approximately 6 days, but fungal infection commonly attacks them during the first 24-48 hours. After yolk-sac absorption, at around 24 hours post-hatch, offer infusoria, followed by brine shrimp nauplii or microworm after a further 2-3 days.
Common Challenges
Fungus on the eggs in the first day or two is the main obstacle; achieving sufficiently soft, acidic water is also key to fertility.