{"product_id":"male-congo-tetra-phenacogrammus-interruptus","title":"Male 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 and trail flowing, feathered fins with a ragged central tail extension. This male form is the showpiece of the species, a peaceful, larger African tetra that dazzles in a planted shoal and reaches around 8 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the Congo River basin in central Africa, this species lives in warm, soft, slightly acidic and often tannin-stained waters among dense vegetation and submerged roots. It is a shoaling, open-water swimmer used to gentle current.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall-bodied tetra with large, iridescent scales that shift from blue over the back to gold along the flanks and a greenish sheen below. Males grow larger and develop the trademark long, flowing fins and violet tail filaments; females are smaller and plainer. Males reach roughly 8 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and rather shy, doing best in a group of six or more. Its flowing fins can be nipped by boisterous or fin-nipping species, so choose calm tankmates and give it planted cover to retreat into.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a hearty appetite. Offer a quality flake or pellet as the staple, supplemented with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia, plus some vegetable matter, to keep the colours and finnage at their best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eStraightforward but happiest in a spacious, planted tank with subdued lighting, gentle flow and soft, slightly acidic water. Good water quality brings out its full iridescence, so keep up with regular water changes. A shy species that settles fastest with dither and cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn egg-scatterer that spawns among fine-leaved plants, preferring soft, acidic water and bright morning light. The eggs and fry are light-sensitive; adults will eat the eggs, so a separate breeding tank improves results.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhenacogrammus interruptus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCongo Tetra (male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCongo River basin, central Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 8 cm (males; females smaller)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful; shy schooling fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner–Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (flake, pellet, frozen \u0026amp; live foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful planted community and African biotope tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — may nibble very soft plants but generally fine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful, medium-sized community fish: larger tetras, rasboras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, Corydoras, bristlenose catfish and calm dwarf cichlids. Best in a shoal of six or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFin-nipping species such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, and large or aggressive cichlids. Avoid boisterous tankmates that intimidate this shy fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232817299747,"sku":"AA2694","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232817332515,"sku":null,"price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Congo_Tetra_Male.jpg?v=1781483460","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/male-congo-tetra-phenacogrammus-interruptus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}