10 Great Tank Mates for Congo Tetras: Compatibility Guide 2024

The colorful Congo Tetra is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for freshwater fish that is native to the tributaries, streams, and pools of the Congo River Basin in Central Africa. These fish love to congregate in large groups among tall vegetation and prefer murky water with a sandy substrate. While they are easy to care for, Congo Tetras are schooling fish that need to live in fairly large groups to feel safe. Since they are peaceful fish, they are best kept with other peaceful fish as tank mates.

If you are looking into keeping a school of these uniquely beautiful fish, we put together this list of ideal tank mates to add to their aquarium. Let’s dive in!

The 10 Tank Mates for Congo Tetras

1. Cardinal Tetras (Paracheirodon axelrodi)

What better tank mate for a Congo Tetra than another Tetra species? Originating in South America, Cardinal Tetras are just as beautiful as Congo Tetras, with brilliant blue and red stripes running down their bodies. They are also peaceful, schooling fish. They have similar tank requirements and top this list of ideal tank mates for Congo. They make great tank mates for a variety of other fish and are popular for community tanks in general.

2. Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras paleatus)

The Cory Catfish is a bottom-feeding fish that hails from South America and is a common addition to community tanks. Since these fish generally stick to the bottom of the tank and are generally non-aggressive, peaceful fish that tend to stick to themselves, they make great tank mates for Congo Tetras. They are among the easiest fish to care for because they will spend their days scavenging on the substrate in your tank, often sitting motionless for hours. While they can live on their own, they are social fish that prefer to live with several other fish of their own species.

3. Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi)

Another great Tetra species to house with your Congo Tetras, Neon Tetras are small schooling fish hailing from South America. This fish has a slender body with a bright neon stripe from nose to tail, a silver belly, and a bright red stripe from belly to tail. Since they are social fish, they prefer to live in small shoals of six or more, and they have similar tank requirements to Congo Tetras, making them ideal tank mates.

4. Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

Guppies have long been favorites for community tanks because they are small, peaceful, and easygoing fish. They are among the most popular pet fish and indeed, among the most widely distributed tropical fish in the world. They are known for their feathery tailfins and beautifully colorful scales, and there are over 300 different types of guppies found around the world. With their peaceful temperament and small size, they are ideal tank mates for Congos.

5. Mollies (Poecilia sphenops)

The colorful and exotic-looking Mollie is arguably one of the most strikingly beautiful fish on this list. Mollies are known to mirror the other fish in their tank, so they may be aggressive if kept with aggressive fish but are peaceful and easy-going overall. There are a large variety of Mollie species available in the pet trade, notably the Sailfish Mollie, but all are beautiful, peaceful, and great Congo tank mates.

6. Dwarf Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Dwarf Cichlids do not need much space and are thus ideal for community tanks. These fish are known for their peaceful and calm nature, and they will not destroy plants or dig up substrate like their larger cousins are known to do. Large Cichlids have a reputation for being somewhat aggressive, but these smaller varieties will give you all the fascinating personality traits that Cichlids are famous for without the possible aggression.

7. Harlequin Rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)

Also commonly known as the Red Rasbora, the Harlequin Rasbora is a peaceful fish with beautiful metallic colors and is easy to care for. They are great tank mates for various fish, including Congo Tetras, because they are social and non-aggressive small fish. These fish have similar tank requirements as Congos, and while they also tend to favor the middle and top tank levels, they will not bother your Congo Tetras.

8. Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)

Platies are ideal for beginners, are common additions to community tanks, and make great tank mates for Congos. These fish come in a wide variety of gorgeous colors and are hardy and easy to care for. While they are not known as schooling fish, they are much happier when housed in a small group. They are small, laterally flattened fish with small fins and a fan-shaped tail.

9. Barbs (Barbus)

There is a wide variety of Barb fish available in the pet trade, and most varieties make great tank mates for Congo Tetras, although they are active fish, and only varieties smaller than Tetras should be kept as tank mates. Barbs are happiest in small schools, so you’ll need to keep at least six in your community tank. Also, stay away from Tiger Barbs, as these are fairly aggressive and may attack your Tetras.

10. Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)

Another Tetra species that makes a great tank mate for your Congos, the Glowlight Tetra is an easygoing, peaceful schooling fish that is both easy to care for and beautiful in appearance. This is one of the most popular Tetra species due to their vibrant coloring and small size, and they are frequently seen in community tanks. They have a translucent-silver body with a golden red stripe running down their body.

What Makes a Good Tank Mate for Congo Tetras?

Since Congo Tetras are such peaceful, docile fish, it makes sense that you’d want to have tank mates with similar temperaments. Of course, their tank mates will also need to have the same tank and water requirements, so other Tetra species are ideal tank mates. As long as the fish that you choose are peaceful, have similar tank requirements, and are not big enough to harm your Congos, they should make great tank mates.

Where Do Congo Tetras Prefer to Live in the Aquarium?

In general, Congo Tetras prefer to stay in the middle and upper parts of the aquarium, and they rarely visit the bottom areas. The tank should include a few plants for them to hide away in, as they are easily stressed. Plants will provide them with cover and a sense of safety.

Water Parameters

Congo Tetras are native to Central Africa, where the waters are fairly warm. They prefer water that is slightly acidic and has a moderately flowing current with a pH of around 6–7.5. The ideal temperature range is 73 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (22.8 to 27.8 Celsius) and they’ll need a tank size of at least 30 gallons.

Size

Male Congo Tetras are typically larger than females, reaching up to 3 inches (8.5 cm) long in captivity, while females typically reach no more than 2.7 inches (6 cm) long. Males are also more vividly colored, with an extended tail and dorsal fin. In the wild, they can get a fair bit bigger and can be found reaching 4.5 inches in length at times.

Aggressive Behaviors

Congo Tetras are peaceful, non-aggressive fish that tend to keep to themselves. They need to live in small shoals of at least six fish, with plenty of plant life to hide away in because they are easily stressed. If they feel threatened, they may nip at the tails of other fish but are peaceful overall.

Benefits of Having Tank Mates for Congo Tetras in Your Aquarium

Since Congo Tetras are such peaceful fish, they can easily be kept with a variety of other fish. They can happily live in their own tank in schools of their own species, although adding other fish to their tank, especially other Tetras, can add beautiful color and diversity to your aquarium. Also, bottom-feeding fish like Corys or even shrimp can help keep your tank clean and algae-free, reducing the need for cleaning.

Conclusion

Congo Tetras are wonderful additions to a community tank, and they are peaceful and easy to care for. Remember that although Congo Tetras are peaceful, non-aggressive fish and there are plenty of suitable tank mates, there are a few fish that should be avoided, such as Tiger Barbs or Bettas. If you house your Congos with fish that have similar water requirements, are not too much bigger (or smaller), and are just as peaceful, you should have no problems!

Featured Image Credit: Grigorev Mikhail, Shutterstock