Penguin Tetra
The penguin tetra s prominent black line and unusual swimming resting motions can be quite eye catching and give the fish a strong sense of individuality amongst similar sized tank mates.
Penguin tetra. The dorsal and anal fins develop red tips as the fish grows and the caudal lobes are edged in an amber color. The penguin tetra is a shoaling fish and should be kept as a group of at least six fish though a shoal of say ten or more fish is highly recommended. This species prefers to be in groups of at least five as it is a schooling species and does best in a heavily planted aquarium.
It is a peaceful hardy fish ideal for beginners and makes a beautiful addition to a tropical freshwater aquarium. Good water quality is preferred as these fish can be sensitive to nitrates. It has a slender body often described as being torpedo shaped.
The species is popular with aquarium hobbyists where it is traded under a variety of common names including blackline penguinfish blackline thayeria hockey stick tetra penguin fish and penguin tetra. The penguin tetra thayeria boehlkei comes from the upper amazon river basin and feeds on small worms insects and crustaceans in the small streams in which it is found. They need to be kept in a school of 5 or more and with similar sized tank mates.
They are not fussy eaters and will accept all commercial foods but remember that they only have small mouths so keep the food matter small to enable them to digest it. The penguin tetra thayeria obliqua has a pale silver to golden colored body with a black stripe that tapers upward from the lower lobe of the bottom half of the caudal fin and completely fades out before it reaches the dorsal fin in the fish. This species does best in a densely planted aquarium.
As you can see the penguin tetra is an impressive little fish. It includes three species including the blackline penguinfish t. Penguin tetra live in schools of fish that prey on small insects worms and crustaceans.
The penguin tetra gets to be about 1 2 inches 3 cm. The penguin tetra is a peaceful hardy and adaptable fish. It will grow to up to 1 6 inches in the aquarium and lives for up to five years.
Boehlkei members of this genus among other characteristics are small have one lateral black stripe and have a vesica piscis shape. They can be sensitive to nitrates but apart from that are relatively easy to care for and are ideal for beginners and they make a lovely addition to an aquarium. The penguin tetra is also known as the hockey stick tetra and blackline tetra.
The penguin tetra is an omnivore and will accept small insects worms and crustaceans. Algae should be added into their diet to provide much needed nutrition.
