Penguin tetra size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 4.5 cm. Record sizes among the 13 Acestrorhamphidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Ember tetra) to 7.5 cm (Black skirt tetra).

Penguin tetra tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.

Penguin tetra water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, hardness 1–12 °dGH. Close to what most Acestrorhamphidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).

Penguin tetra tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 83 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Cardinal tetra, Lemon tetra, and Harlequin rasbora.

FreshwaterIn the market80 coinsCommon

Penguin tetra

Thayeria boehlkei

It sits at a tilt with its nose angled up, hanging near the surface.

The Penguin tetra (Thayeria boehlkei) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Acestrorhamphidae. Adults grow to about 4.5 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 60 cm long and water at 22–28 °C.

Size: 4.5 cm
Smallest tank: 60 cm
Temperature: 22–28 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature22–28 °C

pH5.5–7.5

Hardness1–12 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Surface
Group: Happiest in a group of 8 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litres21 of them
Standard90 cm · 180 litres60 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres100 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres216 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres400 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres480 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along83 species

and 59 more species

Caution7 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCharaciformes
FamilyAcestrorhamphidae
GenusThayeria
SpeciesThayeria boehlkei
Described byWeitzman, 1957

In other languages

German: Schrägschwimmer
Spanish: Pez Pingüino
Dutch: Zilvertetra
Russian: Косая тайэрия

Quick answers

Penguin tetra size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 4.5 cm. Record sizes among the 13 Acestrorhamphidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Ember tetra) to 7.5 cm (Black skirt tetra).
Penguin tetra tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.
Penguin tetra water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, hardness 1–12 °dGH. Close to what most Acestrorhamphidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).
Penguin tetra tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 83 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Cardinal tetra, Lemon tetra, and Harlequin rasbora.
Penguin tetra: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 8 together.
Penguin tetra and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.