Blue Eye Congo Tetra (Wild) (Phenacogrammus aurantiacus) 3cm

Description

• Appearance: Slender body with dark brown to black coloration, adorned with bright blue spots and a horizontal stripe that can range from yellow to orange or green. Below this stripe is a pale blue band with iridescent reflections 
• Eyes: Striking bright blue, giving the fish its name 
• Size: Typically grows to 7–10 cm (2.7–4 inches), with males being larger and more vividly colored 
• Sexual Dimorphism:
  • Males: Larger, more colorful, with elongated dorsal and caudal fins.
  • Females: Smaller, rounder, and less vibrant 

Tank Setup

• Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons for a small school; ideally 70+ liters for breeding 
• Group Size: Best kept in schools of 6–8 or more to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior 
• Aquascape:
  • Planted tank with driftwood, leaf litter, and floating vegetation.
  • Subdued lighting to mimic their natural habitat 
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
  • pH: 6.0–7.5
  • GH: 3–18
  • Flow: Gentle but steady current 

Diet

• Type: Omnivorous
• In Nature: Feeds on worms, insects, crustaceans, algae, and detritus 
• In Aquarium:
  • High-quality flakes and granules
  • Live/frozen foods: brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms
  • Feed small portions multiple times daily 

Breeding

• Spawning Type: Open water substrate egg scatterers
• Setup:
  • Separate breeding tank with mesh substrate to protect eggs
  • Dense vegetation and reduced lighting
• Eggs: 100–200 per spawn; hatch in 5–7 days
• Fry Care:
  • Initial feeding: infusoria
  • Later: baby brine shrimp, microworms
  • Remove fungused eggs during incubation 

Temperament & Tankmates

• Behavior: Peaceful and shy; ideal for community tanks
• Tankmates:
  • Other characins, rainbowfish, corydoras, dwarf cichlids
  • Avoid aggressive or much larger species