Species Spotlight | Congo Tetra

[@insolentstickleback3266]

I had a four foot 80, custom made, in the mid 90’s, 20 Congo tetra’s, was the most beautiful tank I ever ran.

[@jaratt85]

Less than a week ago I bought 3 that were less than 3/4s of an inch long and very little color. Already they are developing some nice green flash to them and a tiny bit of orange and have gotten to that one inch mark. It's amazing to see how quickly fish can grow and mature. I definitely will get more of them when I can afford to. We've got them in a mostly tetra tank with black skirts, Buenos Aires tetras, a headlight tetra (our others died), and a bunch of neon tetras and a solitary long fin zebra danio. We've also got a couple corys and a rubber lip pleco. It's so amazing to see all those different species of tetras school up together. Within seconds of being released into the tank they all started schooling and cruising the tank, despite the BA's being over 3 inches long.

[@happyjuicegirl]

I have 4 Congos, 2 male, 2 female,in my 200ltr corner aquarium. It's a community set up with hard water. They are beautiful fish, their colours are just fantastic. They are also getting very amarous and mating every five minutes so I guess they're pretty happy!! 😊

[@SPHLIGHTS]

I got mine on amazon they are amazing.

[@711yada]

I love my Fluval videos! Thank you.

[@fluval]

We're glad you enjoy the videos!

[@MichaelScreamMachineEvans]

@@fluval I wanted to know about finding a distributing company that is reasonable or away to deal directly with the MFG looking into operating a Pet Store

[@wototw4637]

my personal favorite tetra

[@jamespepe3847]

Excellent video.One of my favorite fish!

[@fluval]

Thank you, James! 😁

[@vladimirkramarovsky2438]

Thank you for good video and good information

[@OregonOutdoorsChris]

Those Mega Flex tanks in the background sure look nice.

[@fluval]

Thanks! Stay tuned for updates about them on our various social media platforms.

[@vitaliyvyntu4566]

Very interesting

[@dennis-qu7bs]

Fascinating!

[@thefrog2_1er6]

These are the next finned friends on my list. I first saw them on a Guppie Enthisiast page in Facebook. The tripple lobed tail is what caught my eye.Never saw that on a fish before.A friend that works at my supplier said its the males with the prominent 3 lobes. He has a huge aquarium with nothing but Congo tetras. And he did tell me the supplier does in fact carry congo tetras.So...my 55 gallon aquarium will be hosting some class in a couple weeks. Right now,all thats in my tank is guppies,yellow neon goldenback shrimp and 4 mystery snails. My biggest concern is my pH. I can NOT get it below 7.6 I have used all sorts of products and nothing. Hopefully,this wont bother my tetras.

[@fluval]

They will be ok at 7.6, just not optimal for them. Consider a small R/O unit, one of the better ways to dilute your present level of carbonate buffering to facilitate lowering of pH.

[@robnewhampshire1481]

Awesome video, and just bought a 75g with a Fluval FX4 to set up a Congo Tetra school... I heard you loud and clear when you said I should avoid other fin nippers, but could you suggest some other tank mates? I’m thinking some Cardinal Tetras, or some fancy tail guppies? Could you let me know what you might suggest.? Also, in a school of 10, what’s my best bet for ratio of males and females? Thanks, I love the vid and really would appreciate your guidance.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

love these fish

[@chief4517]

Those background tanks make my tank look pitiful.

[@ralphfurley404]

There cgi

[@dennis-qu7bs]

Loved the review!

[@fluval]

Thanks!

[@thatfishkid7123]

I have 3 of these!!!

[@eues803]

I would like that you and yr team, could make more of these videos , about fishes that are very interesting, very well done in all aspects, would like to see one about the black red tail shark also, thanks very much.

[@fluval]

We have a whole series of these species spotlight videos, be sure to check them out! We'll add the Red Tail Shark to the list. 👍

[@nayanmistry4641]

Hi Tom, great video as always. I have a 55 gallon community tank with a male betta, Bolivian rams, honey gourami's, 2 schools of tetras (neons, rummys) and rasboras. Are Congo tetra good to go in this community? Thanks

[@fluval]

Nayan, thank you for the compliment. The fish you have in what is a nice peaceful community at this moment could well be disrupted by the much larger growing and fast swimming Congos, we would not advise Congo's with the fish you already maintain. If you need to fill in the community a little our choice would be adding a few more neons to enlarge that school of fish, too many species often ends up making the overall effect too busy, we like your current combination, add a little more of the good thing you have already established.

[@nayanmistry4641]

@@fluval thank you very much for the advise on stocking. I think i may well add to the neon and rasbora schools, i currently have 21 and 15 respectively. Please keep those videos coming, they are always relevant, good content and very informative. Thanks

[@kdr1048]

Any chance on a spotlight on dwarf pencilfish (nannostomus marginatus) i enjoy these spotlight vids. Love your products👍

[@fluval]

Yes!

[@softleyj5653]

I have a few beautiful fish !

[@kerrykrishna]

When Congos are young, do they all have the same tails? You don't mention at all if there has to be a lid on the tank for jumping, that these fish DO have teeth and they will try and nip (with no effect) hands put in for cleaning, and that they will eat plants. I have a friend who had recently bought 18 from store and put into a tank, and all these things happened. Is any of this your experience too? Also maybe you can talk about possible tank mates, and fish size for tank mates. Some of the other KZbin vids say that same size or bigger tank mates are only what should be going in with them. Lots of questions her from me! There is a school of 8 at a local store, and all with same undeveloped tail. You know what I want to do maybe? Thanks. i

[@leo2o915]

Would these go well with spotted Congo puffers ?

[@fluval]

Great question! We've personally never kept Spotted Congo Puffers, but from our research it seems they'd be compatible with each other. We recommend consulting an online aquarium group to be sure!

[@PULAG]

Had 6, my jack dempsey ate the 3 smaller ones. Not a single shred of evidence, he ate them whole. Guess I gotta rescue the remaining 3

[@evergray]

Do you think turquoise rainbows would nip congo tetra fins?

[@fluval]

Should be okay! Just make sure they have enough space. 👍

[@evergray]

@@fluval Thank you so much! It's a 75 gallon, heavily planted. Too bad the LFS that quarantines doesn't carry them. :(

[@chriscasan]

You guys should do a spotlight on serpae tetras.

[@fluval]

This is on our list, we have been occupied elsewhere during these trying times, will happen in the future.

[@alasdairgibb2596]

They look better in natural sunlight

[@fluval]

It definitely makes their colors pop!

[@jupke1964]

I have 4 angel fish and 7 denison barbs in a 450 liters can I add congo tetras into this?

[@fluval]

That combination should work! 👍

[@jupke1964]

@@fluval thank you

[@shrikrishnauthirasamy6628]

Hi.. can we keep cherry Shrimp with Congo tetras and also will it be ok to keep a school of only male Congo tetras

[@fluval]

We would not keep Cherry shrimp with them. In planted tank with structure it is possible to keep a school of only male congos in a suitably sized tank, they do get quite large and fairly active fish.

[@shrikrishnauthirasamy6628]

@@fluval thank you.. much appreciated

[@justasimplenorwegianguy580]

Would they go in a 30 gallon and how many if it goes? And also if they can be there can they be with some tetras? I just lost three blue rams that killed each other while i was gone. So i was thinking about not to buy some new rams but something else like Congo tetras or other kinda small fish that would be peacefull. And of course if it dosent work then u guys could maybe come up with some ideas i could get? Like a peacful Cichlid or a medium size fish thats not AS aggressive as a blue ram?

[@fluval]

30 gallons is a bit small for Congo tetras - we'd recommend a minimum of 40 gallons. In a tank the size of yours, most of the medium-sized tetras would be okay - black skirt tetras (G. ternetzi), lemon tetras (H. pulchripinnis), etc. You can perhaps check out the Apistogramma genus, or maybe some anabantids - dwarf gouramis do well in 30 gallon tanks, for example. Please note that all cichlids are somewhat territorial/defensive.

[@dragonflybonsaigardens]

Hey I know this doesn’t have to do with video but, the fluval spec 2.6 gallon is that a shrimp safe tank?

[@fluval]

Yes, we don't see any issues in using a SPEC tank.

[@AaronGale85]

Hi after advise. I'm new to the aquarium thing. I have a 85l long tank. Have 2 electric blue ram 2 congo tetras 10 neon tetras. Is there room to add more and if so what would you add?

[@fluval]

We would a trio of a small species of corydoras catfish, if the substrate is sand, if not we would not add anything else.

[@Luke_Marto]

Don’t your congo tetra chase your neons ?

[@AaronGale85]

@@fluval not really

[@Thienology]

Do you guys still sell the Fluval Edge 6 Gallon Aquarium?

[@fluval]

Yes, the 6 gallon Edge is still available!

[@thomasashe2681]

Fluval, is 6 Congo tetra and a pair of L 280 pleco a good match for a breeding pair of pelvicachromis pulcher in a tank that is 30" x 12" x 18"? Would the babies for any of those species get eaten?

[@fluval]

While that combination of fish works if the Congos get a chance to snack on some P pulcher fry they will. We like the L 280, great dwarf species, very attractive.

[@thomasashe2681]

Would the L280 plecos eat the pelvicachromis pulcher fry during any stage in their life including the wiggler stage? What other fish would you suggest that would live peacefully with pelvicachromis pulcher?

[@thomasashe2681]

I was thinking about a heavily planted tank with a few hides and a breeding pair of pelvicachromis pulcher and maybe a breeding pair of L280 plecos plus a school or two of some sort of tetra or barb or rasbora (or one school from each of the families) and maybe a school of surface fish. How would you set it up, Fluval? 1. Heavily planted, normal planted, lightly planted, sparsely planted, or not planted? 2. Lots of hides, a few hides, 1 or 2 hides, or no hides? 3. Just Kribs and L280S OR Kribs, L280s, and 1 school of Congo tetras or some other kind of tetra, danio, or rasbora (if some other kind then what kind) OR Kribs, L280s, and 1 school of tetras, 1 school of danios, 1 school of rasbora, and 1 school of surface fish (what kinds)? 4. What kind of substrate (sand, gravel, dirt, or special substrate like Stratum, AquaSoil, Flourite, etc)?

[@Bu197]

Hey, may i keep it with cardinal tetra and small corydoras like : l Pygmy, habarasos??

[@fluval]

The Congo is a large fast swimmer, while not aggressive there are better choices for tank mates vs. cardinals and pygmy corys, recommended would be larger corys such as the size range of C. sterabai at least medium sized tetras, such as Colombian or Buenos Aires tetras...

[@Bu197]

@@fluval sometime i see its chasing smaller fish, I hope they can live together peacefully!. Tks for supporting. I feel more secure about your comment

[@thefrog2_1er6]

@@fluval Corys,LOL. You had to mention those monsters,LOL. I have no problem with mine being aggressive, but lordy,they are spastic.Hardly ever in slow mo'. If I knew they were torpedoes on a caffeine fix,Id have never got them.

[@hollyk3641]

I have a 50 gallon tank that i'm creating a community for. So far, harlequin rasboras, corydoras, kuhlie loach and zebra danios. Would Congos be ok in there too?

[@fluval]

Holly, Congo tetras get fairly large which leaves us concerned about the harlequin rasboras being somewhat overwhelmed, we would prefer Emperor tetras with your mix.

[@hollyk3641]

@@fluval Is it purely a size issue or would congos be more likely to harass?

[@peaoat3608]

Tank mates?

[@fluval]

Suitable tankmates for Congo Tetras include other similarly-sized tetras, larger rasboras, medium-size cichlids, gouramis, loaches, corydoras, plecos, etc. Avoid fin-nipping species or very shy ones!

[@nimaarezoomandi5325]

Best food for them?

[@fluval]

Bug Bites Granules are a great choice - the Tropical or Color Enhancing formulas are ideal! fluvalaquatics.com/us/bug-bites/

[@nimaarezoomandi5325]

@@fluval not found iny region But fluval color enhancing pellet and tetra discus granules and tropical vitality and color is available

[@Luke_Marto]

Will adding females brighten their colours do you know ?

[@fluval]

It certainly increases activity levels in the male, there is likely some increase but male congos in the right lighting and water conditions are generally very beautifully coloured fish.

[@Luke_Marto]

@@fluval mine are lovely, an they seem to get better as they go on but i was just wondering to make tuem look as good as possible, thanks

[@michaelharrity9795]

Can I put 4 in a 20gal tank?

[@fluval]

Hi Michael, a minimum tank size of 30 US gallons is suggested for Congo Tetras. This is due to the fact that they are a schooling fish and can grow up to 3.5 inches. A minimum school of 6 is recommended therefore it would be best to avoid this fish for a 20 gallon aquarium. We hope this helps! 😊

[@toddwestin3219]

@@fluval two years ago you told "just a simple norwegian guy" that 40 gallon was the minimum tank size when he asked if they could be kept in a 30 gallon tank and if the they could how many?.....???

[@firdauskodabucas545]

can those fish live without air pump

[@fluval]

If the filter output is sufficiently agitating the water surface absolutely.

[@theicechinchilla]

Constructive criticism: you sounded unenthusiastic in general making it pretty hard to watch the whole way through. Also, I'd invest in a new mic. The first thing you hear in the video is background noise.

[@fluval]

We appreciate your feedback! We'll work on addressing those issues in future videos.

[@TheSfsdfds]

You sound fine

[@redlinebiker04]

This guy isnt a youtube vlogger. Who cares what he sounds like...Informative video.. that's what counts

[@SP-os3yy]

Its a good video they played the video clips of fish while he spoke and it was informative