Minimum tank length question

[WinterRose73]

Evening all

Question: in the opinion of bods here, what would be the minimum tank length for Congo tetras?

I know I may get different opinions but wondering if I can pick out a consensus.

Ta!

[VikingMummy2015]

I always look at Seriously Fish for a good starting point. It says 120cm which i’d go with. I didn’t really think about them for my 240L but it’s nice to know they might be a future option as they are pretty stunning.

[Triumph-Rat]

How many do you want?

This may be the starting point for the correct answer

[WinterRose73]

How many do you want?

This may be the starting point for the correct answer

LOL problem is I've already got 5. On purchasing, the shop assured me that the tank I have is fine. Very stupidly I did not do my own research.... Litre wise it's OK (185) but it is not long enough for decent swimming space for them, and they are now getting on for a couple of inches each in length.

@VikingMummy2015 They're lovely and they have quite a lot of character!! I really don't want to rehome mine which is mostly why I'm looking to go to a larger tank...


Pants. 120 cm rules out the tank I saw today then...

[Stephen]

If your tank is over 3 foot in length then you should be fine, a 4 foot tank would be better and anything bigger would be even better.
Male Congo tetra grow to just over 3 inches, females are smaller (about 2.5 inches) and are quite an active species.

All the best

[WinterRose73]

@Stephen Ooooh.... Thanks. Food for thought! Tank I saw today was 100cm L x 49 cm W x (I think) 50cm H. Not 100% on the height but the other two are right. So that's a bit over the 3ft mark I think? And I think they said either 230 or 240 litres.

Was almost definitely going for the Eheim vivaline 240, but have found that no way to use anything other than their LED lights - I want to keep the Aquasky. It definitely won't fit, tried in the shop today. The other one I'd seen, the AquaOne Urban is too going to be too deep for me to reach the bottom (same issue as now).

So now considering a Fusion 100. Definitely fits an Aquasky. Looks like very high quality. Can't find an enormous amount online though.

[Stephen]

The Aquatlantis Fusion 100 aquarium is 102x40x60cm (102cm long, 40cm depth, 60cm height) so about 3'3"
A 4 foot tank (or bigger) would be more ideal for Congo tetra but you could choose something else such as Black Widow Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) which is one of my favourite tetra or Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri) which is very nice too.

Black Widow Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)


Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri)


All the best

[WinterRose73]

....or Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri) which is very nice too.


All the best

I have a nice big group of these in a QT tank at this very moment they are gorgeous and can't wait to see them really coloured up

[Stephen]

....or Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri) which is very nice too.


All the best

I have a nice big group of these in a QT tank at this very moment they are gorgeous and can't wait to see them really coloured up

Ooo! sounds nice.
Can I ask, why the question on Congo tetra?

[WinterRose73]

Ooo! sounds nice.
Can I ask, why the question on Congo tetra?

No problem...

Current tank is 185 ltrs, about 32 x 17 x 24 (inches). Back in March, I bought two H5 tanks for bettas and asked if shop would do a discount maybe. They said no but offered to add some free fish instead. I gave them details on my setup, he said Congo tetras would work well... I believed him.

I have a group of 4 males and 1 female and I just think they need to have more space. They are maybe around the 2 inch mark now, female a bit smaller.

I really like the look of the Fusion, it's got that little extra depth front to back for scaping and it's definitely going to work with the lights I want to use.

But, I have a niggling concern as to whether it would be alright for the Congos as it's just over 100cm / 36 inch in length.

Current set up below