Here, the male Congo Tetra is endowed with outstanding longer dorsal fins than the female. This makes the male varieties look beautiful in water, a characteristic that helps attract their female counterparts for mating. Generally speaking, these fish have a long flat body with a slightly tall midsection. As mentioned above, the most striking appearance feature of a Congo Tetra is the long semitransparent fins. They boast a unique appearance thanks to their color mixtures and markings, making them stand out among other tank fish. The Congo Tetras are not sought after for no reason. The dorsal fin takes the colorations of the body but more lightly and transparently. These fish have a long sporty tail fin that is a beautiful combination of grayish-violet feathers and clear white edges. The tail fin is the most striking characteristic of the Congo Tetra. When the fish swims in water, this midsection’s feature is beautifully surrounded by the color-changing luminescence, a reason why it is quite striking to the eye. They also have this metallic look that gives them a perfect roundup to the colored scales. There is a noticeable stripe on these fish’s bodies that runs from the head to the tail. These fish have black red outlined eyes that add to the glamor that the rest of their body serves. This full-bodied fish has large scales with a spectacular mix of colors and markings. You will be able to extend Congo Tetra Lifespan a little more than 5 years if you committed to giving them optimal care. In an aquarium setting the average Congo Tetra Lifespan is around 3 to 5 years. Note that this is the average size of the domesticated/ tank varieties, which, like any other aquarium fish, tend to remain on the smaller side.įor the wild Congo Tetra, expect the average fish to be close to 4.5 inches. Congo Tetra Sizeįirst, it is worth noting that the females are smaller than the males under normal circumstances but appear plumper when they are ready for breeding. An average Congo Tetra will be between 3 to 3.5 inches.Īlthough this size is small compared to other types of fish, they are bigger than other Tetras.
It has been observed that these fish tend to isolate and spend most of their time hiding when their tank mates are highly aggressive. Their peaceful schooling nature and timid temperament mean that you need to keep them off other aggressive and jumpy fish species. The Congo Tetra shows a timid temperament and can be easily spooked or frightened and hence need to be kept in a school of around six or more Tetras. The scene they create when they peacefully swim in these groups is something every fish lover will find enthralling. These fish also tend to swim in schools where they, in most cases, establish a pecking order within the school. If you like peaceful and calm fish, the Congo Tetra has exactly the same behavior. In general, these fish species require low to moderate care. They are omnivores and can survive on many small foods, including micro-pellets, brine shrimp, freeze-dried bloodworms, and high-quality fish flakes.
In an aquarium, let the Congo Tetra pack be the dominant species, otherwise, it will remain shut away. Since the eggs are prone to fungus infection, you should also ensure that the breeding space is treated correctly.Īs the name suggests, this fish is from the slower-moving tributaries of the Congo Basin and the upper reaches of the river Congo but is now a popular aquarium species worldwide.Ĭongo Tetras prefer moderately planted and calm aquariums. Since these fish tend to swim in schools of 5 to 8, they require a relatively large aquarium. The females lay eggs and for breeding purposes, you must ensure that they are protected by eliminating other adults in the space who may eat the eggs. The long sport finnage is also a striking characteristic of them. This fish appears in a common length of 3 to 3.5 inches, with the females being generally smaller than the males. It boasts a mix of colors that make it highly appealing and fascinating to watch. The Congo Tetra is a fluorescent-colored fish and a common addition in home aquariums. Congo Tetra Habitat, Tank Conditions, and Care.Read till the end to understand this fish species in every respect.
This is a complete guide showing the Congo Tetra care profile and any other detail you may want to know about this fish. This, plus the low care level that these fish species require, makes it the finest African native fish. This ornamental fish serves not only elegance but also good behavior and a good lifespan. It is a well-known factor that the Congo Tetra is the true definition of a pretty and alluring fish. Congo Tetra is the most elegant Tetra fish species that will brighten up any planted aquarium tank.