The Penguin Tetra comes from the tributaries and rivers of South America and makes a wonderful addition to any community aquarium. They are pale to golden in color, and have a black vertical stripe that extends down the bottom half of the tail, giving an appearance similar to a penguin.
Details
| Type | Tetra |
| Family | Characidae |
| Species | Thayeria boehlkei |
| Synonyms | |
| Origins | Heavily vegetated and slow-moving areas of the Upper Amazon River basin in Peru and Araguaia River in Brazil. The majority of specimens offered for sale in the aquatics trade are captive-bred. |
| Sexual Dimorphism | Mature females are fuller-bodied. |
| Length | 4.0 cm |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Temperature | 22 - 28 deg C |
| Water parameters | pH 6.0 - 8.0, dH 1 - 20 |
Care
Penguin Tetras are a shoaling species that should be maintained in groups of 6 or more. Can be slightly nippy, so long-finned tankmates are best avoided. The tank should be well planted and have a cover of floating plants to help diffuse the lighting. Very sensitive to elevated nitrate levels, so excellent water quality is a must.Feeding
Flake, micropellets, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp and daphnia.Breeding
A separate softwater breeding aquarium should be set up with plenty of fine-leaved plants. Spawning takes place in darkened conditions, where as many as 1000 eggs are laid. The parents should be removed once the female is exhausted of eggs, and these will hatch within 24 hours. The fry are tiny and should be offered infusoria as a first food. (It is worth noting that many breeders of this species recommend carrying out a partial water change when spawning is over, due to the large amounts of milt expelled by the male, which could foul the water of the breeding tank).
