Congo tetra

Congo tetra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Alestidae
Genus: Phenacogrammus
Species: P. interruptus
Binomial name
Phenacogrammus interruptus
(Boulenger, 1899)

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

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.

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 wait for you to leave the aquarium before they will feed. 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 will not be suitable for a proper school of these fish. Hardness: 4–18 ° dGH pH: 6.2 Temperature: (75–81 °F) 24–27 °C

Nutrition

Since they are omnivorous the Congo tetra will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food every day. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or bloodworms as a 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

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

References

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