Congo Tetra

Revered for their vibrant colors and eye-catching shimmer, the Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) has become a widely popular freshwater fish species in the aquarium community. They were first discovered in 1949. However, due to breeding difficulties, it wasn’t until the 1970s that these fish became a staple in tanks across the world. As their name would suggest, these fish are endemic to the Congo River basin. They typically call small streams, ponds, and marshes in the area home.

Their bodies are relatively long and flat. The midsection of the fish is quite tall, giving them a somewhat compressed look. Typically, males are slightly larger than females. But the females are plumper, especially when she is ready for breeding. The body is complemented by long, semi-transparent fins. Male specimens are quite stunning. They have longer dorsal fins than their female counterparts. As a whole, all of the fins on a male fish have a wispy appearance that flows beautifully in the water. The fins on male fish have a somewhat purplish hue. The purple color is accented nicely by staunch white edging.

Congo Tetra care is relatively easy because it doesn’t take much to keep these fish happy. However, you still need to be knowledgeable and provide them with the right habitat and water conditions.

• Water temperature: 72°F to 82°F (76°F should be your ideal target)
• pH levels: 6.0 to 7.5 (stick to the lower end of this range)
• Water hardness: 3 to 18 dGH