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Another of the old time favorites, the Penguin fish has a look all its own. A peaceful and undemanding fish that makes a great addition to any community aquarium.

Quick stats:

Listed tank sizes are the minimum
Size:	Up to 2 1/2 inches (8 cm)
Tank:	24 inches
Strata:	Top, middle
PH:	5.5 to 7.0
Hardness:	Soft to hard dh range 4-20
Temperature:	73° to 82° F (22-28°C)

Classification:

Order:	Cypriniformes
Suborder:	Characoidei
Family:	Characidae
Genera:	Thayeria

Penguin Fish

Additional species photographs

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Distribution

Peru and Western Brazil, the Amazon basin.

A rather long fish with much lateral compression. The upper and lower profiles are very similar in appearance. The bottom of the rear fin (Caudal) is slightly longer, giving the penguin its one of a kind look.

A Black longitudinal stripe starts at the end of the gill cover plate and runs all the way to the base of the Caudal fin where it turns downward to the bottom tip of the tail fin. A shinny Gold colored line runs on either side of the thicker Black stripe. The upper main body color is a gold or bronze color and the lower body is a silver to gray color. The fins are clear with a slight Yellow tint and the front of the Anal fin has a milky front.

An easily cared for fish the penguin is omnivorous accepting flake, frozen and live food. The addition of some vegetable matter in the food is beneficial. They are adaptable to a wide range of water conditions, although it has been said that they are sensitive to high Nitrate levels. The tank should be loosely planted with plenty of open space for swimming. They swim at an angle facing up and are a schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. An all around winner for the community aquarium.

Found in slow moving waters of the Amazon basin, among scattered patches of plants.

A very prolific breeder often having broods of over 1000, a fairly large breeding tank is needed. The water should be soft and on the acidic side (5.5). The substrate should consist of fine leafed plants to catch the large number of eggs. Females when ready to spawn have a very distended belly due to the large number of eggs. After spawning the pair should be removed and a portion of the water should be changed due to the large amount of sperm released by the male which could foul the water. The eggs hatch in less than a day and the fry are very small and need to be fed the smallest of foods available.

Penguin Tetra Click photo to buy Thayeria boehlkei

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From: Julie Date:06/18/08 I have an 80 gallon tank, and in it I have about 14 cardinal tetras, 4 serpae tetras, 3 swordtails, 2 blue Moscow fancy guppies...and a few bottom feeders. We just introduced 6 penguin tetras today and I am not at all pleased. They're picking on my guppies like you wouldn't believe, and nipping at the fins of my serpaes (which are my favorites in the tank). I'm seriously considering taking them back to the pet store. They're not docile, nor are they peaceful. I'm shocked---I thought mainly all tetras were great community fish. These aren't. =( Take caution when buying these for your community tank, they seem to like long fins! From: Donna E. Date:02/29/08 I have found these fish to one of the more aggressive fish I have had. I had 5 in my tank, and they chased each other and their tank mates around constantly! One of the worst assaults was the removal of one male's entire tail fin. He survived for about 8-9 months, but it was only because he was able to hide in one of the plants. They all have missing scales and missing bits of tail and fins, and they killed 2 Honey Gouramis shortly after I introduced them to the tank. Nope, I would not purchase them again, even though they are quite beautiful. From: Lord Heath Date:3/22/07 Unfortunately, my experience with these fish has been largely negative. I have just had to get rid of mine because I find them aggressive towards other fish. They appear to chase other species of fish around the tank and yesterday I found 3 dead fish (1 zebra danio, 2 swordtails) and attribute the deaths to the Penguins. So naturally, I found your "peaceful" fish quite contrary to my own findings. From: Adrian Date:1/21/06 Penguin tetras are a peaceful and undemanding fish. They are best kept in a group as they are a shoaling fish. I have two pairs and they are happy with four pairs of tiger barbs and a pair of ghost. They eat all types of dried foods. From: Joe Date:2/06/06 These fish are one of my favorite tetras. They have nice colors, and a nice body form. The penguin tetra also love to just "hang out". I have 5 of them with some other tetras in a 45 gallon tank, and they love to just float in front of the glass. I have never seen these fish fight with other fish in the tank, but they would probably be attacked a lot if they are kept with more aggressive fish. I recommend these fish to people who are new at fish keeping, because the penguin tetra isn't demanding on when it eats, or what the water is like (just as long at the temp. is good and not too dirty).

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