All fish / Characidae

Penguin Tetra

Thayeria obliqua

Also known as penguin tetra, hockey stick tetra, blackline thayeria, oblique tetra, penguin fish, ปลาเพนกวิน, ペンギンテトラ, ikan penguin, 企鹅灯, 企鹅鱼

A slim silvery tetra with a bold black line running along the flank and bending down into the lower tail lobe, giving a hockey stick look. It often rests at a slight head-up angle, which earns it the penguin name. Hardy, active and cheap, it suits community tanks well.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: flakes, small pellets, frozen and live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon basin, Brazil (Guaporé and Madeira drainages)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns readily in soft, slightly acidic water, producing many eggs over fine-leaved plants or mesh. Adults eat the eggs, so remove them after spawning; fry take infusoria and then baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

Frequently confused with Thayeria boehlkei, which is sold under the same name and has a longer stripe. Lively shoals may nip slow, long-finned tankmates.