{"product_id":"congo-tetra-phenacogrammus-interruptus","title":"Congo Tetra | Phenacogrammus interruptus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Congo Tetra is pure iridescent magic. Mature males shimmer blue, gold and green along the flanks and trail flowing, feathered tails and dorsal fins. A peaceful, large African tetra reaching around 8 cm, it is stunning in a mature-male shoal in a planted, softly lit aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhenacogrammus interruptus is endemic to the Congo River basin in central Africa, living in streams, tributaries and marshy pools with warm, soft, slightly acidic and often tannin-stained water. It shoals in open water among submerged wood and vegetation. Driftwood, floating plants, subdued lighting and gentle flow recreate its home and encourage its best colour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA comparatively large, laterally compressed tetra whose scales catch the light in bands of turquoise, gold and orange. Mature males are spectacular, developing long, feathery extensions to the tail and dorsal fin, while females are smaller, rounder and more subtly coloured. Full colour and finnage develop slowly, so the fish is at its most beautiful as a settled adult.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful and shoaling, though it can be shy if kept in too small a group or with pushy tank mates. Keep it in a mixed-sex shoal of six or more so the males colour up and display, and pair it with other calm, medium community fish. Boisterous or nippy species stress it and may damage the males' delicate trailing fins.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that takes quality flake and small pellets readily and shows its best condition on a varied diet including frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus some vegetable matter. Feed a couple of small meals a day. Good, varied feeding is key to developing the males' full colour and finnage.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 110 L, with 150 L or larger better for a good shoal of this active, medium tetra. Keep temperature at 22–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and GH soft, around 3–15. Soft, slightly acidic, well-filtered water with driftwood and gentle flow suits it best, along with regular water changes. It is peaceful and generally plant safe, though it may occasionally nibble very soft new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is possible but takes effort. In soft, acidic water the fish scatter relatively large eggs among fine-leaved plants, and the eggs are light-sensitive. The fry need tiny live foods and dim conditions to thrive. A separate, dimly lit, soft-water breeding tank gives the best results for the dedicated keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhenacogrammus interruptus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCongo Tetra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCongo River basin, central Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 8 cm (males larger than females)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: quality flake, small pellets, frozen and live foods, some greens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft, around 3–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (may nibble very soft new growth)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other peaceful medium community fish such as larger tetras, rasboras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, bristlenose and corydoras, and calm dwarf cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, with boisterous or aggressive fish that intimidate it, and with large predators. Avoid hard, alkaline water, as it prefers soft, slightly acidic conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232816873763,"sku":"AA1531","price":20.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232816906531,"sku":"AA1531-M","price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/congo-tetra-phenacogrammus-i-43077910069539.webp?v=1790306324","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/congo-tetra-phenacogrammus-interruptus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}