Stock FAQs

how many congo tetras would you stock in a 40 gallon breeder tank

by Brody Kuphal Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What size tank does a Congo tetra need?

Our recommended tank size for Congo Tetras is 30 gallons. You don’t need a huge tank to keep these fish happy and healthy! Some aquarists have seen success in 20-gallon tanks, but we like to go a little bit larger.

How do I get my Congo tetra to stop biting?

Provide your fish with some food and the behavior should stop. There are a number of options when it comes to picking Congo Tetra tank mates. These fish are the perfect addition to peaceful tanks and do very well with similarly sized fish that are gentle and passive. The best tankmates, of course, are other Congo Tetras.

How long do Congo tetras live?

The typical Congo Tetra lifespan is only between 3 and 5 years while in captivity. Some fish-keeping enthusiasts have seen their fish live a bit longer than that, but it’s rare.

How much water does a 40 gallon breeder tank hold?

Of course, a 40-gallon breeder tank holds water up to 150 liters approximately. The weight of an empty 40-gallon breeder tank is 58 pounds, and if a breeder is full of water and other things, its weight is 458 pounds. 1 liter of water = 2.20 pounds of water.

How many tetras are in a 40 breeder?

You can fit as many as 10 of them in a 40 gallon tank. An incredibly beautiful and unique addition to any saltwater aquarium, these fish have a very peaceful temperament that is so desirable in many community species. You can keep 15-20 of them in 40 gallons.

How many gallons does a Congo Tetra need?

30 gallonsCharacteristicsFamilyAlestidaeSocialPeaceful schooling fishLifespan3 to 5 yearsTank LevelAll levelsMinimum Tank Size30 gallons8 more rows•Jul 12, 2021

How many Congo Tetras should be kept together?

6Congo Tetra Tank Mates These fish are the perfect addition to peaceful tanks and do very well with similarly sized fish that are gentle and passive. The best tankmates, of course, are other Congo Tetras. We recommend getting a group no smaller than 6.

How many Congo Tetras can I put in a 30 gallon tank?

It's recommended that you don't keep any less than 6 Congo Tetras together.

How many Congo Tetras can I put in a 55 gallon tank?

8-12 Congo tetrasSomething like a 55 gallon long tank is probably the smallest you should consider for 8-12 Congo tetras.

How big do Congo Tetras get?

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.

Can I keep all male Congo Tetra?

You can keep Congo tetras in a species-only setup with a shoal of up to 20 individuals. However, if you have a smaller group, you'll need a mixture of two or three females to one male or all males to maintain a harmonious community.

How long does it take for a Congo Tetra to grow?

Congo tetras grow quickly. It takes the Congo Tetra fry two weeks to reach 1 inch and another 3 months to reach two inches. At the 3-month mark, you will begin to notice their colors becoming prominent, and at 6 months, the Congo Tetras would have reached a length of 3 inches, their average adult size.

Do Congo Tetra eat other fish?

In the wild, Congo Tetras are opportunistic feeders. As omnivores, they will eat insects, worms, small crustaceans, baby fish, and plant matter.

What is the largest tetra fish?

Diamond Tetra – The diamond tetra is native to Venezuela and it gets its name from the golden reflection bouncing off its scales. These fish grow to 2 ½ inches long or more and they prefer to be kept with 6 or more of their own species.

Are Congo Tetras fin nippers?

Do not keep Congo Tetras with fish that are known to be fin nippers as male Congos will sustain injuries. Rasboras and Barbs (except for extremely nippy species like the Tiger Barb) may also work, but keep an eye out for any aggression. Also, they sometimes like to nibble on softer plants and young shoots.

Can you keep Congo Tetras with angelfish?

Can Congo Tetras Live With Angelfish? Yes, Congo Tetras can live with Angelfish. Although both Congo Tetras and Angelfish are considered mildly aggressive species, both only tend to be aggressive to their own kind.

How big a tank do tetras need?

10 to 20 gallonsHousing Requirements for Tetras Most tetras can be kept in aquariums of 10 to 20 gallons, but larger tanks are easier to take care of and give them more room to swim. They do best in schools of 6 or more and will be less stressed and show their best colors in a well-decorated aquarium.

What is the biggest tetra fish?

Diamond Tetra – The diamond tetra is native to Venezuela and it gets its name from the golden reflection bouncing off its scales. These fish grow to 2 ½ inches long or more and they prefer to be kept with 6 or more of their own species.

Can I keep all male Congo Tetra?

You can keep Congo tetras in a species-only setup with a shoal of up to 20 individuals. However, if you have a smaller group, you'll need a mixture of two or three females to one male or all males to maintain a harmonious community.

How big of a tank do you need for Congo Tetras?

Our recommended tank size for Congo Tetras is 30 gallons. You don’t need a huge tank to keep these fish happy and healthy! Some aquarists have seen success in 20-gallon tanks, but we like to go a little bit larger. As we mentioned earlier, these are schooling fish.

How many eggs can a Congo Tetra produce?

Interested in breeding Congo Tetras? You’ll be happy to know that it’s a fairly simple process. These fish are egg layers. Females can produce up to 500 eggs at once, leaving you with a huge school of fry to take care of.

Why are Congo Tetra so skittish?

In fact, they can get very skittish if there are other fish in the tank that exhibit signs of aggression or intense activity. When in fear, the fish will spend most of its time hiding. You can prevent this behavior by keeping the tank filled with peaceful community fish.

What color are the fins of a Congo Tetra?

The fins on male fish have a somewhat purplish hue. The purple color is accented nicely by staunch white edging. While their fins are a joy to watch as your fish swim around, it’s their color that really stands out. Congo Tetras have considerably large fins for their size.

How long do Congo Tetra live?

The typical Congo Tetra lifespan is only between 3 and 5 years while in captivity. Some fish-keeping enthusiasts have seen their fish live a bit longer than that, but it’s rare.

What is a Congo Tetra?

The Congo Tetra is a beautiful freshwater fish that is a piece of cake to care for. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert looking for something low-maintenance, this species is a great choice.

When was the Congo Tetra discovered?

Revered for their vibrant colors and eye-catching shimmer, the Congo Tetra ( Phenacogrammus interruptus) has become a widely popular freshwater fish species in the aquarium community. They were first discovered in 1949. However, due to breeding difficulties, it wasn’t until the 1970s that these fish became a staple in tanks across the world.

How much does it cost to breed Congo Tetras?

Now that the mystery of breeding Congo tetras is solved, they’re easy to find. You’ll spend an average of $5-$7 per fish. And since you need to keep them in schools, many stores offer discounts if you’re willing to buy a group. You need to keep in mind that most of the Congos offered in fish stores are juveniles.

How big do Congo Tetras get?

In the wild, they grow up to 4.5 inches (11 cm). You’ll probably only see 3.5 inches (9 cm) in your aquarium, though – and that’s for males. Females only reach about 2 inches (5 cm) in length. If you want to get the maximum length out of your Congo tetras, make sure you choose the largest possible tank. Aquarists that provide more space ...

What is a Congo tetra?

Congo Tetras: African Rainbows. If you’ve dreamed of creating a vibrant display within your freshwater aquarium, you couldn’t ask for better than Congo tetras ( Phenacogrammus interruptus ). With stunning scales in every color of the rainbow, topped with an iridescent sheen, they’re perfect. Congos are African members of the Characin family.

What is a Congo?

Congos are African members of the Characin family. They’re also one of the more recent tetras to gain popularity with aquarists. The species earned its name in 1949, but they proved tricky to breed, leaving aquarists to take them from the wild.

How long do Congo tetra live?

Lifespan. Congo tetras live between 3-5 years in captive settings. Unfortunately, this is a freshwater species prone to stress, which can cut down on that lifespan. If you want your fish to live as long as possible, stay on top of their management needs.

How many eggs do Congos produce?

Around dawn, the couple will dive in and out of the Java moss, depositing and fertilizing the eggs. Females produce between 300-500 eggs! Once the pair finish, you need to remove them, or they’ll eat the eggs.

Do Congo fish like black water?

In the wild, Congos gravitate to blackwater regions. They’re a hardy species, and they WILL tolerate a range of water conditions, but if you don’t stick to their optimal needs, those beautiful rainbow colors will fade, and the flowing fins could suffer damage. The region of the Congo these fish inhabit is tropical.

Jake Yde

Okay, so a little background, because why not. I was resetting up my 55 gallon aquarium to be a community planted tank which I had a very clear vision for that mostly consisted of guppies. My wife who had never really shown interest actually seemed into it this time.

Colu

If your doing a Congo biotope synodontis catfish are what you want the upside down catfish come from the Congo basin and will fine as long as it has plenty of cover and some floating plants

Jake Yde

I appreciate that, I was looking at Synodontis. I've kept upside-down cats before so they're a definite possibility, though a little shy in my experience. Do you have any floating plants in particular for me to consider that would fit the biotope?

Jake Yde

Water Lettuce is illegal (invasive species) in Alabama, the other two don't really fit the biotope, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

Colu

I have not seen any African floating plants for sale there's not much availablity

Jungle Fan

From my books there is a form of Azolla that is native to the Congo, but unavailable to the trade here in the U.S., and Azolla caroliniana is probably also on AL's list of illegal species, as is probably water hyacinth, which is quite common now in the Congo but even there considered an invasive species from South America.

Jake Yde

Thank you both for your help and input on my question. I do already have Red Root Floaters, so it would just be a matter of propagation and transferal.

How big of a tank do you need for a Congo Tetra?

Congo Tetras are schooling fish and hence need plenty of space to roam. To keep a healthy and happy school of 6 to 8 fish, you need a 20 or 30-gallon tank. A larger tank also gives you the freedom to include a nice substrate of dark gravel, sand, and silt.

How big is a Congo Tetra?

An average Congo Tetra will be between 3 to 3.5 inches. Although this size is small compared to other types of fish, they are bigger than other Tetras.

What is the appearance of Congo Tetra?

Appearance. The Congo Tetras are not sought after for no reason. They boast a unique appearance thanks to their color mixtures and markings, making them stand out among other tank fish. Generally speaking, these fish have a long flat body with a slightly tall midsection.

What is the best fish in Africa?

We all know that the Congo Tetra is the true definition of a pretty and alluring fish. This ornamental fish serves not only elegance but also good behavior and a good lifespan. This, plus the low care level that these fish species require, makes it the finest African native fish.

What color are Congo Tetras?

The colors run from the front to the back and extend to the caudal fins (specifically for the males). In general, the Congo Tetras have bluish-green coloration. This striking color is a combination of blue on the top, red to yellow-gold through the middle, and blue to the back and slightly above the belly.

When was the Congo Tetra introduced?

In the US, the Congo Tetras were first introduced to the Southeastern region in the 1970s, where specifically Florida fish farms developed a breeding line where most of the species now found in pet stores descended from.

Where is the Congo Tetra found?

Origin, Distribution, and Availability. The Congo Tetra is native of the river Congo in Zaire of Central Africa. These African native fish inhabit most of the slightly acidic waters surrounding the river Congo and the middle Congo basin. They are mostly found in surrounding tributaries, streams, pools, and marshes.

40-gallon breeder fish tank dimensions

The most common dimensions of this aquarium are 100x50x30 cm; it is equivalent to 40 gallons. It’s a great fish tank size. They are widely used in large fish breeders. It is usually an aquarium gallon size used by freshwater fish breeders. It is commonly used in saltwater aquariums for corals.

Is a 40-gallon breeder tank suitable?

It’s common for people to move to smaller tanks right away, but did you know that the smaller tank is more difficult to maintain? Mainly in parameter control. The tank has to be strategically thought; the measure of 40 Gallon Breeder Tank was thinking about having more space, ease of maintenance, and compatibility with most lighting fixtures.

Essential Equipment for a 40-gallon fish tank

For filtration, it is best to use a foam-type filter or a hang-on, always scaling the water flow needed for the species. A heater is required to maintain the temperature stable.

Conclusion about breed fish in a 40-gallon aquarium

As a general rule, the larger the tank, the greater it is stable. So this size tank fish for beginners is a good start. Breeding is not always easier when starting with small volumes of water. The main fish we see in these aquariums are the famous guppies, colorful and of great variety; they attract any eye.

What is the length and width of a 40 gallon tank?

Aquariums are available in so many sizes. It starts from as small as 2.5 gallons to as large as 180 gallons or more.

40 gallon breeder tank dimensions compared to other 40 gallon tanks

If someone is thinking about a 40-gallon breeder tank, they’re thinking about a tank that is about 16” high and not that wide. The exact measurements of this type of tank might differ depending on what manufacturer you’re searching for.

Why would you want a 40 Breeder aquarium

Having a 40 Breeder tank has a lot of benefits. The bigger footprint in combination with the low height makes it easy to handle, fry, and catch fish.

Are breeder tanks good for turtles?

Also, there is another group of people who are very happy with 40 gallon breeder tank dimensions are turtle keepers.

Where Can I Buy a Breeder Tank?

You can buy a breeder tank from fish stores as well as online through the same fish stores or platforms like Amazon. You can also buy these tanks locally on the local used pet supply pages.

Species Summary

Appearance

Congo Tetra Size

Care

Food & Diet Recommendations

Temperament & General Behavior

Congo Tetra Tank Mates

  • There are a number of options when it comes to picking Congo Tetra tank mates. These fish are the perfect addition to peaceful tanks and do very well with similarly sized fish that are gentle and passive. The best tankmates, of course, are other Congo Tetras.We recommend getting a group no smaller than 6. The more Congo Tetras you have in the tank,...
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Breeding

Wrapping It Up

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