Congo tetra are extremely beautiful African characins, growing slightly larger than most of its kind. They have slightly compressed and elongated bodies which have an iridescent coloration. Generally, the mid body has a gold stripe while the flanks have a violet or turquoise colour. Congo tetra's require a tank of no less than 30 gallons because in keeping them it is advised to keep them in schools of six to eight. Keeping them in lesser numbers may result in them being very skittish and stressed as they don't feel protected enough. And it is because of this that most of the Congo tetra's seen today do not look anything like the beautiful fish it supposed to be. They need the space to be able to swim and develop their beautiful coloration.