#Congo tetra full#

To see the male Congo Tetras displaying their colors fully, they should be kept in a group of 6 or more with a ratio of 1 male to every 2 females. Males do chase and spar with one another, but this rarely if ever ends in injury to either fish. They are a peaceful species that, once settled into the aquarium, will swim boldly out in the open water. Be aware that without the females to show off to, the males do not develop the intense coloration most people are looking for.Ĭongo Tetras make the perfect addition to the mixed community aquarium.

#Congo tetra full#

On first reading this article you might think a tank full of males is the way to go. When the light catches them just right, there are hints of the iridescent colors the males offer.Ī word of caution. However, there is still beauty to be appreciated in females. Their bodies are mainly golden in color and their fins do not flow as the males do. The females, in comparison to the males, are nowhere near as flamboyant. As the males mature they develop long, flowing fins which are mainly silvery grey and edged in white. This golden streak is flanked above by a metallic blue top half of their body.Īs the males swim around the tank, the light reflects all the colors of the rainbow, from red to violet. Male Congo Tetras are prized in the aquarium hobby for their large, iridescent scales which reflect the light in a rainbow of colors.Īlong the lateral line of the Congo Tetra, the males have a golden streak running from just behind their head to their tail fin. The male Congo Tetra is more colorful and glamorous than the female. The albino Congo Tetra boasts many of the same colors as normal Congo Tetras, just on a mainly pale white body. The Congo Tetra is also widely kept in an albino form. The Yellow Congo Tetra can be found in the lower regions of the Congo River whereas the Cherry Red Congo Tetra appears to come exclusively from the middle Congo. The Yellow Congo Tetra ( Phenacogrammus caudalis) and The Cherry Red Congo Tetra ( Hemigrammopetersius brichardi). There are a couple of other members of the Congo Tetra family, both of which are kept less often in the aquarium hobby. As omnivores, they will eat insects, worms, small crustaceans, baby fish, and plant matter. In the wild, Congo Tetras are opportunistic feeders.

Murky or tannin-stained water is favored over crystal clear water. They make the streams, pools, and swampy areas of the river their home, preferring the slightly acid water where there is an abundance of vegetation to hide in and around. The natural habitat of the Congo Tetra is the upper regions of the Congo River in Zaire. Map of Congo River, Africa Congo Tetra Habitat Congo Tetras make the slower-moving tributaries their home. The Congo is one of the world’s longest rivers. The Congo River, often simply referred to as The Congo, is located in an area known as Equatorial Africa. Characteristics Common Name:Ĭongo Tetras come from the mighty Congo River in Central Africa. In this guide, I draw on my experience of keeping Congo Tetras to walk you through every aspect of caring for them, covering their origins, feeding requirements, ideal tank setup, and breeding behavior as well as looking at some of the questions I am often asked about this beautiful fish. I first started keeping Congo Tetras 5 years ago when I added a school to my 155-gallon aquarium. We guarantee it! We care for the fish in our care as if they were our own and will never ship a fish or any other creature if unsafe for the animal.Congo Tetras make a great addition to any tank, but they come into their own when kept as a centerpiece fish in a heavily planted aquarium. We deliver an incredible aquatic experience and selection delivered right to your door with quick overnight delivery using insulated & heated packaging to ensure safe arrival of your new pets. Aquarium Fish Depot is proud to offer a Live Arrival Guarantee. * All states excluding Hawaii, Alaska, Alabama, and Kansasįor more information on our overnight shipping options refer to our shipping info page for more details. Please let us know if you have any questions before deciding to purchase by emailing us at here to connect with us on social! Shop our online aquarium store and get new aquatic pets delivered right to your door with overnight shipping to nearly all U.S. Explore a vast selection of beautiful and unique freshwater fish and aquatic pets. Our shop is filled with over 750 aquariums and houses one of the largest collections of aquatic creatures including fish, shrimp, invertebrates, mollusks, and more. Kept and cared for at our massive aquarium store in San Diego, California.