Congo Tetra

The Congo Tetra is a vibrant freshwater fish native to the Congo Basin in Africa, known for its iridescent blue, red, and gold scales. It belongs to the African tetra family and is a popular, peaceful addition to large home aquariums.

Physical Traits

• Size:

  • Males reach up to 8–8.5 cm (3 inches).
  • Females are smaller, at about 6 cm (2.4 inches).

• Colors:

  • Their bodies feature glowing blue, green, and purple hues, with a bright yellow-orange stripe down the side.

• Fins:

  • Mature males develop long, flowing, feathery extensions on their tail and dorsal fins.

Tank Care and Needs

• Group Size:

  • Must be kept in a shoal or school of at least 6 to 8 fish to feel safe.

• Tank Size:

  • Requires an aquarium holding at least 150 to 200 liters (40–50 gallons) of water due to active swimming.

• Water Setup:

  • Prefers a temperature of 23–27°C (73–81°F) and a slightly acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.5 for the best colors.

• Diet:

  • Omnivorous and eats flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and live insects.