Yellow-tailed Congo Tetra is a freshwater fish found in the Congo River.
It’s scientifically known as Alestopetersius caudalis and exists in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.
This fish eats various foods like crustaceans, fruits, and insects in its natural habitat.
In an aquarium, it can eat daphnia, bloodworms, artemia, or dried flakes with added plant content.
Yellow-tailed Congo Tetra Interesting Facts
- Yellow-tailed Congo Tetras are found in the Congo River, specifically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.
- They eat a variety of foods, including crustaceans, fruits, insects, and various aquarium foods like daphnia and bloodworms.
- Males have brighter colors and unique fins with white tips that females don’t have.
- To breed them in an aquarium, use a separate tank with an artificial trap for collecting eggs.
Yellow-tailed Congo Tetra Habitat
Yellow-tailed Congo Tetra is found in Africa, specifically in the lower and middle Congo River basin.
This includes areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic.
Some specific locations are the marine lower Congo, Lake Tumba, Ruki drainage, Ubangi, Uele, Itimbiri, Aruwimi, and Lindi-Tshopo.
Yellow-tailed Congo Tetras live in freshwater environments where they swim freely in open water (pelagic).
These fish prefer a pH range of 6.5 to 7.8 and water hardness (dH) up to 20.
The ideal temperature for these fish is between 72°F to 78°F (22°C to 26°C) which makes them tropical fish.
| Water Temperature: | 72°F to 78°F (22°C to 26°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.5 to 7.8 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Yellow-tailed Congo Tetra Physical Characteristics
Size: 2.4 inches (6.2 centimeters)
Yellow-tailed Congo Tetras grow up to 2.4 inches (6.2 centimeters) long. Adult males have brighter colors than females and grow faster too.
They also have unique fins with white tips that females don’t have.
Yellow-tailed Congo Tetra Reproduction
Yellow-tailed Congo Tetras lay eggs but don’t care for them. To breed them in an aquarium, set up a separate tank with an artificial trap to collect eggs regularly.
Hatch eggs separately and feed fry microscopic food until they’re big enough for regular aquarium food like daphnia or bloodworms.
Yellow-tailed Congo Tetra Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Alestidae |
| Genus: | Alestopetersius |
| Scientific Name: | Alestopetersius caudalis |
| Also Known As: | Yellow-tailed Congo Tetra |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |