Care
The Golden Congo tetra is reported to inhabit blackwater streams and rivers which provide plenty of cover in the form of waterlogged wood and leaf litter, above which the fishes swim in active shoals. Aquatic plants are scarce in these types of habitat, but bankside vegetation is often lush.
The aquarium for this shoaling species should provide plenty of swimming space, together with areas of cover into which they can retreat. Although much of their care requirements will be similar to the more familiar Congo tetra (P. interruptus) these fish are considerably less domesticated and should be kept in softwater with low nitrates. Low lighting will make them feel more comfortable and floating plants can help to provide this, as well as helping with water quality. As a shoaling species these fish are best kept in large numbers, which will give them greater confidence and inspire the males to develop their best colouration as they compete to intimidate each other and impress the females. Under these circumstance they will tend to ignore most tankmates but long-finned species may prove too tempting to ignore. In an adequately-sized aquarium, they will combine well with similar characins, West African dwarf cichlids and Synodontis catfish, but could be kept alongside most species which enjoy similar water chemistry and aren't too aggressive.
May be seen under a few names such as Blue-eyed (golden) congo tetra, Lamp-eyed congo tetra or with location data added such as 'Lefini'.
Feeding
A quality dry food staple, such as colour-enhancing flake or granules, can be supplemented with frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, Mysis etc.
Breeding
These slow-maturing fish are challenging to breed. A well-conditioned pair should be added to a separate aquarium that has been set up with acidic softwater and plenty of cover. Spawning can be quite an active affair, so the tank should be as long as possible. Many reports suggest that spawning commences when the first rays of the morning sun hit the aquarium, where up to 300 weakly adhesive eggs can be laid. The pair should be removed as soon as spawning has ceased, otherwise they will predate on eggs. After 5-7 days (dependent on water temperature) the eggs will hatch and the young fry can be offered infusoria and baby brineshrimp.
