Can Amazon Leaf Fish and Congo Tetra Live Together?

Both Amazon Leaf Fish and Congo Tetra are peaceful species with an aggression score of 2/10. Their matching temperaments mean neither fish is likely to dominate the other in a shared aquarium.

Amazon Leaf Fish and Congo Tetra both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and Top (Surface) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

Worth noting: Amazon Leaf Fish is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Congo Tetra is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: A larger aquarium with ample hiding spots can help diffuse aggression and give the less dominant fish space to retreat.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 23°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6 and 6.8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 3–8 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Amazon Leaf Fish and Congo Tetra together, plan for an aquarium of at least 132 litres with a minimum length of 90 cm. This accounts for the larger species' space requirements with an additional 20 % buffer to reduce territorial tension.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters — so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Plants - Densely covered, Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Plants - Floating. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with low (still water) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.