Fish comparison
Congo Tetra vs Ember Tetra
How the Congo Tetra and Ember Tetra compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Congo Tetra vs Ember Tetra
The Congo Tetra and the Ember Tetra come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 23 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. If tank space is tight, the Ember Tetra needs less room to feel settled; give the Congo Tetra the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
4 notes
Temperature
- Congo Tetra23–28 °C
- Ember Tetra23–29 °C
pH
- Congo Tetra6–7.5
- Ember Tetra5.5–7
Hardness
- Congo Tetra3–15 dGH
- Ember Tetra1–10 dGH
What to plan for
- Congo Tetra schools, stock at least 6You've planned for 1 congo tetra. Congo Tetra need a group of at least 6 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Ember Tetra schools, stock at least 8You've planned for 1 ember tetra. Ember Tetra need a group of at least 8 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- No bottom teamNo bottom-dwelling fish or shrimp. A small group of corydoras or a shrimp colony picks up leftover food and keeps detritus in check.
- 100% of your fish swim in the midHeavy concentration in a single zone. Spreading stocking across all three levels makes the tank read fuller for the same bioload.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishCongo TetraPhenacogrammus interruptus |  FishEmber TetraHyphessobrycon amandae |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Congo River basin, Democratic Republic of Congo | Rio das Mortes basin, Brazil |
| Family | Alestidae | Characidae |
| Temperature | 23–28 °C | 23–29 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 5.5–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 3–15 | 1–10 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low |
| Min tank | 150 L | 40 L |
| Adult size | 7–9 cm | 2 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 3–5 yrs | 2–4 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Mostly (may nibble very soft new growth) | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | No | Yes (adults safe with adult shrimp) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Congo Tetra and Ember Tetra together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 23 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Congo Tetra or the Ember Tetra?
They sit at the same care level, both beginner-friendly, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Congo Tetra and Ember Tetra need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 23 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Congo Tetra and the Ember Tetra?
Space. The Congo Tetra wants about 150 litres minimum and the Ember Tetra around 40, so tank size can settle it.