Congo Tetras

[Becks1985]

Can I keep 2 male congo tetras together are a male an female I know der suppose to be kept in bigger groups but I don't have room for more.... .?

 

[Questions?]

if you dont have room for more, go for some of the smaller tetras. what size tank do you have?

 

[Becks1985]

Have a 350litre tank but anymore than 2 an ill b well over stocked

 

[Questions?]

what other fish do you have?

 

[Becks1985]

10 serpae tetra
10 rummy nose
15 cardinals
2 bolivian rams
3 small angels
4 Corydoras
4 ottos
3 platies
2 male guppys

Thinking of returning serpae tetras....I know I'm heavily stocked but I do water change every week an my filter is a 2000ef so the filter is big enough to pump the water through a lot.....

 

[aether.ed]

I hate to say it but ur asking for trouble. Congo's are not suitable for your tank mates, think bigger fish that congos wont pick to shreds. They get very large  for a tetra 4in+ (ive seen a freak one close to 6inches) they have a decent set of teeth on them perfect for picking and shredding up fins. They need to be kept in larger numbers so they keep their boisterous semi-agrro behaviour to themselves and not pick at other fish. 2 fish will not work and i'd worry for your other fish. Trust me, ive been keeping congo's for years, they are like mini piranhas, if i put a guppy in there it wouldnt last 5 minutes! (we'll it wouldnt have any fins left thats for sure!)
They are beautiful fish but unless kept in large enough numbers (most people seem to think 6 as a minimum) they can have quite a mean streak.
 
I have around 30 of these beauties some ive had nearly 10 years now, awesome fish, voracious feeders!
 
 
dont do it. Get yourself some more ottos and cories if you must add more fish, they could do with more company!

 

[Becks1985]

Oh right didn't know that I had one 2 years ago an he seemed very peaceful I had guppies in tank with it seem to be ok I don't know i think it was a female congo it didn't have the long flowing fins.... I new they grew till bout 3-4 inches.... Was looking something for round the middle of my tank.. My angels stay near the top an Bolivians near the bottom...

 

[aether.ed]

Dont your 35 other tetras fill that mid space nicely? To be perfectly honest do you really need anymore fish in there?
 
Males can get well over 4 inches and very tall in the body. You just need to get a good number of them, the males fight, its what they do, you need a good number so that one doesnt keep beating down the other, spread the agression between many fish and one wont get singled out. Same with mixed sex group, you need around the same number or more females so they dont get constantly harassed and stressed by the boys.
 
The males fighting is a beautiful yet brutal display, synchronised spirals and lip locking, one of my tetras has had a fat lip for 2 weeks now after his last bout. But congos are built for it, big heavy duty scales and strength. A guppy or a ram getting caught up in the congos escapades could be in for some hurt. (i am talking a more mature congo here, ive seen the little baby ones in pets at home for £2 a pop, my local sells mature good sized beauties for £12.50 each, they look like completely different fish, much more colour!)
 
 
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUhn8iCNKsE
 
 
This is not my video but this is exactly what i would expect to see constantly with 2 males, it will keep happening untill the weaker one just withers away.

 

[Questions?]

i wouldnt add congos either. also are your serpae tetras nippy, because alot of people have had report of serpea shredding angelfish's fins. I also wouldnt keep guppys and angels together. I would get rid of the serpeas and add 4 more corys and 2 more ottos

 

[Becks1985]

My serpae just stay with the rummy nose all the time..., they don't look to bother any other fish when I watch them with the light on so unless they are different with the light of..... There doesn't look to b any harm to any of the fish... The 2 male guppies pester my platies they must be female that's the only fish I see getting chased a bit.....

 

[Questions?]

oh, ok