Yellow Congo Tetra Breeding Guide
Breeding the Yellow Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus aurantiacus): a Congo-tetra-pattern soft acidic spawn with weakly adhesive eggs; species-specific data are limited.
Overview
The Yellow Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus aurantiacus) is an African alestid from the Congo basin and a close relative of the Congo Tetra, Phenacogrammus interruptus. FishBase records that it is a freshwater, tropical species. Practical Fishkeeping notes that species-specific breeding information is limited because it was imported only recently, and that breeding is expected to follow the same pattern as P. interruptus; the genus-pattern details below are therefore drawn from the Congo Tetra and flagged as such.
Sexing
In Phenacogrammus the males are larger and much more colourful, developing extended filaments in the caudal fin and a greatly extended dorsal fin, whereas females are plainer and fuller-bodied.
Conditioning
Condition the fish on live and frozen foods and select the best-coloured male and the fattest female. These are slow-maturing fish, so patience in conditioning is important.
Breeding Setup
- A separate, dimly lit aquarium that is as long as possible, since spawning is active.
- Soft, acidic water with plenty of cover; pH below neutral and soft hardness (Congo Tetra pattern).
- Temperature about 24-28 C, within the species' tropical range (FishBase).
- A mesh base or fine-leaved plants to let eggs fall out of reach of the parents.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
By the Congo Tetra pattern, spawning is often reported to commence when the first rays of morning sun reach the tank. Up to around 300 weakly adhesive eggs can be laid. The pair should be removed as soon as spawning has ceased, or they will predate on the eggs.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch after about 5-7 days depending on temperature. The young fry can be offered infusoria and baby brine shrimp; like the Congo Tetra, the fry are relatively slow growing.
Common Challenges
The species is described as challenging and slow to mature, and detailed species-specific breeding reports are scarce. Achieving soft, acidic water, providing a long tank for active spawning, and removing the parents promptly are the main hurdles.