Species › Tetras

Congo tetra tank mates and minimum tank size

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo tetras grow to 8 cm (3.1 in). They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. Their long fins draw fin nippers. They need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F) and pH 6.0–7.5.

Minimum tank

108 L (29 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long

Adult size

8 cm (3.1 in)

Temperature

23–26 °C (73–79 °F)

pH

pH 6.0–7.5

Group

no minimum

Congo tetra minimum tank size

Congo tetras need at least 108 L (29 US gal), in a tank at least 120 cm (47 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 8 cm (3.1 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (32 cm (13 in)).

Congo tetra tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against Congo tetras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (26)

• Black neon tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Cherry barb
• Chili rasbora
• Common pleco
• Dwarf gourami
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Guppy
• Harlequin rasbora
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Nerite snail
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pearl gourami
• Platy
• Pygmy corydoras
• Red tail shark
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail
• Zebra danio

With care (14)

• AngelfishThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and Congo tetras. That leaves no margin.
• BettaBettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as Congo tetras, many do not.
• Black skirt tetraBlack skirt tetras nip fins, and Congo tetras have long, trailing fins.
• Cardinal tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by Congo tetras and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger Congo tetras (8 cm).
• Cherry shrimpCongo tetras (8 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by Congo tetras and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and Congo tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger Congo tetras (8 cm).
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger Congo tetras (8 cm).
• MollyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.5, set by mollies and Congo tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Mystery snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.2–7.5, set by mystery snails and Congo tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Peppered corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by Congo tetras and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by Congo tetras and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (12)

• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); Congo tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Congo tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Clown loachClown loaches nip fins, and Congo tetras have long, trailing fins. Congo tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so Congo tetras would be harassed.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); Congo tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by Congo tetras and German blue rams. That leaves no margin.
• GoldfishCongo tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Congo tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; Congo tetras grow to 8 cm. Congo tetras (8 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).
• Paradise fishCongo tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rosy barbCongo tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip fins, and Congo tetras have long, trailing fins.
• Tiger barbTiger barbs nip fins, and Congo tetras have long, trailing fins. Congo tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
• White cloud mountain minnowCongo tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip fins, and Congo tetras have long, trailing fins. Congo tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank