PENGUIN TETRA

Scientific Name : Thayeria boehlkei

Common Names : Blackline Penguinfish, Hockey Stick Tetra, Penguinfish

Care Level : Easy

Size : 1.2 inches (3 cm)

Water Parameters : pH 6 - 8 | dH range: 5 - 20 | Temperature : 72°F - 82°F (22°C - 28°C)

Lifespan : 3 - 5 years

Origin / Habitat : South America, upper Amazon River basin in Peru and Araguaia River in Brazil.

Temperament / Behavior : Very similar to other tetras. Keep them in groups of 5 or more.

Breeding : Get them ready ahead of time by feeding them a high quality diet for several weeks/months. They prefer tank water that is on the softer and more acidic side of the pH scale. Egg scatterers and the parents will eat the eggs. The female can drop hundreds of eggs that hatch after 20 to 24 hours and fry are swimming after 4 days.

Aquarium Size : 20 to 30 gallon recommended (schooling fish)

Tank Mates : Keep them in groups and don't keep them with fish large enough to eat them.

Fish Disease : Freshwater Fish Disease

Diet / Foods : Small worms, insects, crustaceans in the small streams where they originate. They will go after smaller pellet foods and flake foods. You can and should add in thawed blood worms, brine shrimp and other freshwater foods.

Tank Region : Middle to upper regions of the aquarium.

Gender : Not sure of any external characteristics to determine males and females.