Congo Tetra

[ryan]

Common name/s: Congo Tetra.

Scientific name: Phenacogrammus interruptus

Family: Alestiidae

Origin: Zaire.

Maximum size: 3" (8.5 cm).

Care: Keep in as larger group as possible as they are an active shoaling fish. They prefer slightly soft, acidic water and a well planted tank.

Feeding: They will accept most commercial foods but relish live and frozen foods.

Sexing and Breeding: Males are easily distinguished by their extended finnage and bright colours in comparison to the shorter finned dull females. Congo Tetras are egg scatterers, so if they spawn in a community tank most of the eggs will be eaten. The young are slow growers and should be feed live insect larve.

Comments: A stunning fish, fully grown males are a truly magnificent sight with their elaborate finnage and delicate hues. They are an active fast swimming and peaceful fish that does well in a peaceful community tank, maybe with an African theme.

 

[LauraFrog]

My LFS has a small shoal of these in a large (~90 gallon) display tank and the females are about 3.5 inches, the males all over 4 inches with the biggest being at least 5 inches. They are fast swimmers and need space, but are very active and very pretty. The 'white' scales shine in the right light, sort of the diamond tetra effect, just not as bright as the true diamond (M. pitteri).