| Congo tetra | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| 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, found in the central Congo River Basin in Africa. It is commonly kept in aquaria.
 | This section includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations .(February 2021) |
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 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. [2] They also have different colors and extensions in the caudal fin.
Congo tetra are a popular aquarium species. However, their large size and active behavior makes them unsuited for most smaller tanks. They easily adapt to captive diets like pellets and frozen foods, though they will still hunt down live foods when offered. They have successfully been bred in captivity and captive bred individuals are commonly available. Whilst they can be kept healthy on a slightly wider range of water parameters, breeding often requires water parameters more similar to their natural habitat. Bad water quality has been known to affect male fin development and lead to loss of coloration. [3]
The Congo Tetra is a moderately hardy freshwater fish. This species thrives in a well-maintained aquarium that mimics its natural, slightly acidic and soft-water habitat. Optimal health for Congo Tetras is achieved in a stable environment with good water quality, a balanced pH level of around 6.0 to 7.5, and temperatures between 72°F and 82°F. A varied diet, including quality flake food, frozen or live brine shrimp, and bloodworms, is essential for maintaining their vibrant colors and overall vitality.
Common diseases affecting Congo Tetras include Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), a parasitic infection manifesting as white spots on the body and fins, and fin rot, often due to poor water quality. Preventive care is key, emphasizing regular water changes, tank cleanliness, and avoiding overfeeding. Quarantining new fish before introducing them to the main tank is crucial to prevent the spread of diseases. In case of illness, early detection and treatment, often involving specific medications and improved tank conditions, are vital for recovery. [3] Proper care and attention to their environmental needs ensure these stunning fish remain a healthy and dynamic part of any aquarium community.
The IUCN lists the Congo tetra as a species of Least Concern.
The neon tetra is a Freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater and clearwater streams in the Amazon basin of South America. Its bright colouring makes the fish visible to conspecifics in the dark blackwater streams, and is also the main reason for its popularity among freshwater fish hobbyists, with neon tetras being one of the most widely kept tropical fish in the world.
The black neon tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae) of the order Characiformes. It is native to the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil. They are often found in the aquarium trade.
The black phantom tetra, or simply phantom tetra, is a small freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae) of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Paraguay basin and upper Madeira basin in Brazil and Bolivia. It is commonly seen in the aquarium trade.
The skunk loach, skunk botia or Hora's loach is a species of botiid loach found in the Mekong River basin in Indochina, as well as the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins in Thailand. The maximum size is 10 cm (4 in) and it occurs in water with parameters 26 - 30 °C temperature, pH 6.0 to 8.0, hardness 5.0 to 12.0. It feeds on live crustaceans, insects, snails and other invertebrates.
The three spot gourami, also known as the opaline gourami, blue gourami, and gold gourami, is a species of fish native to southeastern Asia, but also introduced elsewhere. This gourami gets its name from the two spots along each side of its body in line with the eye, considered the third spot. This species is of minor commercial importance as a food fish in its native range and is also farmed. It is also popular in the aquarium trade. The species reaches 15 cm in standard length.
The lemon tetra is a species of tropical freshwater fish which originates from South America, belonging to the family Characidae. It is a small tetra growing to 5 cm (2 in) in length. The species is a long established favourite aquarium fish, being introduced to the aquarium in 1932.
The rummy-nose tetra is a species of tropical freshwater characin fish originating in South America, popular among fishkeepers as a tropical aquarium fish. One of many small tetras belonging to the same genus, it is on average 5 cm (2 in) long when fully grown. The fish is one of several very similar species including Petitella bleheri, and Petitella georgiae, and it is possible that more recently collected specimens available in the aquarium trade are members of one or other of these similar species. The common name applied to most of these fishes is "rummy-nose tetra", though other common names are in circulation.
The Buenos Aires tetra is a tropical fish from South America. It was first observed in the wild in 1907, by Carl H. Eigenmann.
Hemigrammus erythrozonus, commonly known as the glowlight tetra, is a small tropical fish from the Essequibo River, Guyana, South America. It is silver in colour and a bright iridescent orange to red stripe extends from the snout to the base of its tail, the front of the dorsal fin being the same color as the stripe. Other fins are silver to transparent. The glowlight tetra is a peaceful, shoaling fish. It is larger than the neon tetra, and its peaceful disposition makes it an ideal, and popular, community tank fish. It should be kept with similar sized, non-aggressive species. Hemigrammus gracilis is a senior synonym. The red-line rasbora of Malaysia and Indonesia has markings and coloring very similar to H. erythrozonus, but is a member of family Cyprinidae, not a close relative.
Hyphessobrycon columbianus is a species of Tropical freshwater fish of the characin family. The Colombian tetra is native to the Acandi River near Acandí) in northwestern Colombia. The Colombian tetra's habitat tends to be slow-flowing creeks and tributaries.
The bleeding heart tetra, Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma, is a freshwater tropical fish native to the Upper Amazon River basin. It grows to the size of 2.5 in (64 mm) and lives for around five years.
Poecilia velifera, known as the Yucatan molly and also as the giant sailfin molly amongst aquarists, is a large livebearer that lives in coastal waters of the Yucatan peninsula. These live-bearer (Poeciliidae) fish are particularly well known for both the extreme size variation among males, and the sexual dimorphism between males and females in both body shape and behavior.
The redeye tetra, is a species of tetra from the São Francisco, upper Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay river basins in eastern and central South America. This freshwater fish is commonly kept in aquariums and bred in large numbers at commercial facilities in Eastern Europe and Asia. The redeye tetra is one of the more popular aquarium fish due to their schooling capability.
The ember tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is native to the Araguaia River basin of Brazil and was discovered in 1987 and named in honor of the fish explorer Heiko Bleher's mother.
Nematobrycon palmeri, commonly known as the emperor tetra, is a species of characid fish found in the Atrato and San Juan river basins in western Colombia. It was first imported in the aquarium trade to the United States in 1960 and has since become well established.
The White Cloud Mountain minnow is a hardy species of freshwater fish and coldwater fish often kept in an aquarium. The species is a member of the carp family of the order Cypriniformes, native to China. The White Cloud Mountain minnow is practically extinct in its native habitat, due to pollution and tourism. It was believed to be extinct for over 20 years in 1980, but an apparently native population of this fish was discovered on Hainan Island, well away from the White Cloud Mountain. They are bred in farms and are easily available through the aquarium trade. However, inbreeding in farms has led to genetically weak stock that is vulnerable to disease and prone to physical deformities.
The harlequin sharkminnow is a freshwater cyprinid fish from central Africa. It is also known as the harlequin shark and variegated shark, especially in the aquarium hobby.
The yellow-tailed African tetra is a freshwater fish that lives in the Congo River basin. It is found in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. It is an omnivore in the wild which feeds on crustaceans, fallen fruits and small insects, but seems to have little difficulty in adjusting to normal aquarium foods. though they can be fed in aquarium with daphnia, bloostorm and artemia along good quality dried flakes and granules at least some of which should include additional plant or algal content. The species can tolerate water up to 20 degrees DH, though it does better in softer water. A temperature of 22–26 °C (72–79 °F) and a pH of between 5.0 and 7.5 and a hardness of between 36 and 268ppm is suitable. adult male are more colorful and tend to grow faster than females. males also develops extended white-tipped dorsal, ventral, caudal and anal fins which females lack. it is an egg scattered exhibiting no parental care, and one method of breeding is apparently to keep a group of adults in their own aquarium furnished with a kind of artificial trap, checking it regularly as much as possible especially for eggs. these are removed and normally hatched in smaller containers with the fry being offered microscopic foods until large enough to accept daphnia, bloostorm and the rest.
Saltwater fish, also called marine fish or sea fish, are fish that live in seawater. Saltwater fish can swim and live alone or in a large group called a school.
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