Congo tetra care

Water temperature

73–82°F

A congo tetra wants water at 73–82°F, pH 6–7.5, and a tank of 30 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include bettas, guppies, honey gouramis.

Big for a tetra and a little shy. Needs room to swim.

Phenacogrammus interruptus

pH

6–7.5

Minimum tank

30 gal

Adult size

3.0 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Groups of 6+

Lifespan

3–5 years

Swims at

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• GuppyYes
• Honey gouramiYes
• Kuhli loachYes
• CorydorasYes
• Dwarf gouramiYes
• Sparkling gouramiYes
• AngelfishYes
• Blue gouramiYes
• Tiger barbYes
• Elephant nose fishYes
• Bolivian ramYes

Full congo tetra tank mate chart: 72 yes, 14 with care, 12 no

Congo tetra water compared

Fish to keep away from congo tetras

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); congo tetras need 73–82°F. No temperature suits both.
• Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches congo tetras do.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches congo tetras do.
• Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful congo tetras.
• Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches congo tetras do.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); congo tetras need 73–82°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches congo tetras do.
• Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches congo tetras do.

More tetras and characins

• Neon tetra72–79°F
• Ember tetra73–84°F
• Rummy nose tetra75–84°F
• Cardinal tetra76–84°F
• Black skirt tetra70–80°F
• Serpae tetra72–79°F
• Silver dollar75–82°F
• Glowlight tetra74–80°F