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Contents
Overview
The Congo tetra is a large, showy African characin. Males reach about 3.2 inches (8 cm) and have iridescent scales that shift from blue to gold and red depending on the light, with grayish, white-edged fins and a tail whose central rays extend into a flowing veil. Females are smaller, duller and short-finned. It comes from the Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It is peaceful but large and skittish, needing a spacious tank and a group to feel confident. It suits hobbyists with some experience who can provide room and stable water; it is not a fish for small aquariums.
Care and tank setup
A group of six needs at least 55 gallons (about 200 L) and a tank around 48 inches (120 cm) long, with strong filtration, moderate flow and a heater. It prefers soft to medium, slightly acidic water and is sensitive to high nitrates.
- Group: keep several females per male; alone or in a pair it becomes shy and loses color.
- Aquascape: hardy plants such as anubias, Java fern or cryptocorynes along the sides, driftwood and a large open swimming area. It may nibble soft plants and tender shoots.
- Lighting: moderate, with some shade from floating plants; a dark background makes the colors far more vivid.
- Tank mates: peaceful medium-sized fish: larger corydoras, calm synodontis, mid-sized tetras, rainbowfish and peaceful cichlids. Avoid fin nippers such as tiger barbs, which shred the males' tails. Small shrimp may be eaten.
Keep a tight lid, because it can jump when startled. Never release it into the wild.
Feeding
An omnivore that accepts quality flakes and pellets plus frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis, bloodworms or daphnia. Include some plant matter too, like spirulina flakes or blanched vegetables, since it eats plant debris in the wild. Feed twice a day without overdoing it, and make sure shy individuals get their share.
Breeding
After a showy courtship, the pair scatters relatively large eggs over the substrate or among plants and provides no further care. Breeding is possible in a large separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water, soft lighting and a mesh on the bottom to protect the eggs. The fry hatch after a few days and take baby brine shrimp.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Congo tetra. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Dwarf gourami Trichogaster lalius 16 gal (60 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Clown loach Chromobotia macracanthus 132 gal (500 L) · 77–86 °F (25–30 °C) 
Otocinclus catfish Otocinclus vestitus 16 gal (60 L) · 70–79 °F (21–26 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Congo tetra, and why.
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
- Cherry shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Congo tetra healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Congo tetra need?
At least about 200 liters for a group of at least 6 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Congo tetra need?
Between 24 and 28 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Congo tetra?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Betta fish, Bronze cory, Guppy and Cherry barb. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Congo tetra be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
