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Here is a complete care guide and profile for the Penguin Tetra, a unique and elegant freshwater fish known for its distinctive black "penguin-like" stripe and peaceful nature.
🐟 Penguin Tetra – Full Details & Care Guide
✅ Common Names:
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Penguin Tetra
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Blackline Penguin Tetra
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Hockey Stick Tetra
🔬 Scientific Classification:
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thayeria boehlkei |
| Family | Characidae |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Origin | Amazon Basin, Peru & Brazil |
| Type | Freshwater schooling fish |
🎨 Appearance:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body Shape | Elongated and slender |
| Color | Silver or translucent body with a black stripe running from the middle of the body through the tail (angled upward like a hockey stick) |
| Size | 2 – 2.5 inches (5 – 6.5 cm) |
| Lifespan | 4 – 6 years in good conditions |
🏒 Their name comes from the black stripe’s upward tilt, resembling a penguin’s posture or a hockey stick.
🌡️ Water Parameters:
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 23 – 28°C (73 – 82°F) |
| pH Level | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Hardness | 2 – 15 dGH |
| Water Type | Freshwater, well-oxygenated |
🏡 Tank Setup:
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons |
| Group Size | Keep in schools of 6 or more |
| Substrate | Dark gravel or soft sand |
| Plants | Heavily planted with Java fern, Anubias, Amazon sword |
| Decorations | Driftwood, rocks, open swimming space |
| Lighting | Moderate to subdued lighting |
| Filtration | Sponge or hang-on-back filter with gentle flow |
🧬 Temperament & Behavior:
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful, non-aggressive |
| Schooling | Yes, must be kept in groups |
| Swimming Zone | Mid to upper levels |
| Compatibility | Ideal for community tanks |
| Activity Level | Active but calm swimmers |
🍽️ Feeding:
| Food Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Staple Diet | Tropical flakes, micro pellets |
| Live/Frozen | Bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp |
| Vegetable Food | Spirulina flakes, blanched greens |
| Feeding Frequency | 2–3 times per day in small amounts |
🥬 A varied diet helps maintain vibrant colors and energy.
🐣 Breeding Penguin Tetras:
| Breeding Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Spawning Style | Egg scatterers |
| Spawning Tank | Use separate tank with soft acidic water and fine-leaved plants |
| Spawning Behavior | Dance and scatter eggs over plants |
| Parental Care | None – remove adults after spawning |
| Egg Hatching Time | 24–36 hours |
| Fry Feeding | Infusoria, then baby brine shrimp |
🤝 Ideal Tank Mates:
| ✅ Compatible Fish | ❌ Avoid These Fish |
|---|---|
| Neon or Glowlight Tetras | Fin-nippers (e.g., Tiger Barbs) |
| Corydoras Catfish | Aggressive cichlids |
| Guppies, Mollies | Large predators (Oscar, Arowana) |
| Rasboras, Danios | Betta (in some cases) |
| Dwarf Gourami | Fast, aggressive fish |
🧼 Care & Maintenance:
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Change 25% of water weekly
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Keep tank covered (they can jump)
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Monitor water quality for stability
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Clean substrate and check filter regularly
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Ensure low-stress, peaceful environment for health
🧾 Quick Profile Summary:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thayeria boehlkei |
| Common Name | Penguin Tetra |
| Size | 2 – 2.5 inches |
| Lifespan | 4 – 6 years |
| Tank Size | 20+ gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swimming Zone | Middle – Top |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Group Size | Minimum 6 |
| Care Level | Beginner-friendly |
🌟 Highlights:
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🐧 Iconic black "penguin-style" stripe from mid-body to tail
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👥 Social and active schooling fish
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🐟 Hardy, adaptable, and easy to care for
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🌿 Looks stunning in planted community tanks
IMAGES ARE FOR REPRESENTATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.
We process orders on all weekdays (Monday to Saturday), excluding public holidays.
To avail free shipping, purchase amount should be Rs350/-(for Aquarium Accessories and Aquatic Plants) or more, less than the above amount shipping charges applicable Rs70/- only. For live fish delivery charges applicable at the time of checkout.
Orders are normally Shipped within 1-2 days and usually take 2-5 working days to be delivered based on your location. However, you will receive an approximate timeline when you place your order.
To ensure that your order reaches you quickly and in good condition, we only ship through reputed courier agencies.
To avail free shipping, purchase amount should be Rs350/-(for Aquarium Accessories and Aquatic Plants) or more, less than the above amount shipping charges applicable Rs70/- only. For live fish delivery charges applicable at the time of checkout.
Orders are normally Shipped within 1-2 days and usually take 2-5 working days to be delivered based on your location. However, you will receive an approximate timeline when you place your order.
To ensure that your order reaches you quickly and in good condition, we only ship through reputed courier agencies.
