Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Live Plant Safe: Yes
General Description: The Penguin Tetra has a large distribution throughout the upper Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru. Due to its popularity, all Penguin tetra available within the aquarium trade are captive or commerically produced. A somewhat forgiving tetra, the Penguin tetra makes a great choice for the beginner hobbyist. While overall plain in color, the solid black line the runs across its body and down into the caudal fin gives this species a very charming and unique appearance! Penguin tetra are natural shoaling fish, thriving best with at least 6 individuals but more are encouraged. An adult Penguin tetra can reach a size of approximately 2″.
Diet Requirements: Penguin tetra are among some of the most unfussy with regard to food. Nevertheless, offer a diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.
Care Requirements: A minimum 5 to 10 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Penguin tetra. Size up accordingly to accomodate a larger shoal. While Penguin tetra are a hardy species, we recommend adding this fish only into a biologically stable aquarium. Penguin tetra are a very tolerable species to a wide range of water parameters (KH, pH) otherwise. Penguin tetra would prefer to be in a live planted aquarium. Penguin tetras are extremely peaceful and rarely conflict with tank mates. Their timid nature, however, may make them not suitable for typical community aquariums that have overly rambunctious or competitive species. At the very least, mix Penguin tetra with other peaceful tetra or shoaling species. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 2-20, pH 5.5-8.0.
Purchase Size: Medium: 1” to 1-1/4”
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
