Congo tetra

The Congo tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) is a species of fish in the African tetra family, found in the central Congo River Basin in Africa. It is commonly kept in aquaria.

Congo tetra

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Characiformes
Family:
Alestidae
Genus:
Phenacogrammus
Species:
P. interruptus
Binomial name
Phenacogrammus interruptus
(Boulenger, 1899)

Description

The Congo tetra has a typical full-bodied tetra shape with rather large scales. When mature, the iridescent colors of the Congo tetra run through the fish from front to back, starting with blue on top changing to red through the middle, to yellow-gold, and back to blue just above the belly. It is not its fluorescent colors that make this tetra so distinct, but rather its tail fin, which develops into a most beautiful grayish-violet feathery appendage with white edges. The males get up to 3.0 inches (8.5 cm). Females up to 2.75 inches (6 cm). The male is larger with more color, also the tail fin and dorsal fin are more extended. They have also more beautiful colors, and extensions in the caudal fin.

Aquarium keeping

In the aquarium, a natural habitat will allow for healthy fish. The Congo tetra requires soft, peat-filtered water and a darker substrate. They are most comfortable in an aquarium with lower light levels. The beautiful rainbow colors of this fish will also show best in lower light levels. These fish are easily frightened by aggressive tank mates and loud noises, and may abstain from feeding until people have left the area. It is a peaceful schooling fish and needs a large aquarium to thrive and develop its full beauty. Any aquarium of less than 30 gallons is not considered suitable for a proper school of the Congo tetra.

Recommended water parameters:

  • Hardness: 4–18 ° dGH
  • pH: 6.2
  • Temperature: (75–81 °F) 24–27 °C

Care

As they are an omnivorous fish, Congo tetra will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. Daily feeding with a high quality flake food is recommended. Brine shrimp (live or frozen) or bloodworms can be given as a type of "treat."

Social behavior

Congo tetra kept in aquariums are generally a good community fish when other fish are of similar size and temperament.

Breeding and reproduction

Congo tetras are egg layers. While little is known about their wild breeding habits. In captivity however, a large aquarium, peat-filtered water, and bright lighting will initiate spawning. They will lay up to 300 eggs that will drop to the bottom. The fry are large enough to eat freshly-hatched brine shrimp.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Congo tetra as a species of Least Concern.

See also

Sources
  • Ultrastructural Examination of Spermiogenesis and Spermatozoon Ultrastructure in Congo tetra Phenacogrammus interruptus Boulenger, 1899 (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Alestidae)
Author: Pecio, Anna
Folia Biologica, Volume 57, Numbers 1–2, December 2008, pp. 13–21(9)
Publisher: Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences
  • IUCN Red list:

References
  1. Snoeks, J.; Laleye, P.; Moelants, T.; Contreras-MacBeath, T. (2010). "Phenacogrammus interruptus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T167968A6428241. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T167968A6428241.en.
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