At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Small scaled characin (tetra) with an adipose fin
A silvery tetra with a bold black stripe that runs from the gill cover along the body and bends down into the lower lobe of the tail, like a hockey stick. In good condition the dorsal and anal fins pick up red tips and the tail lobes gain amber edges. Females are rounder in the belly and slightly paler than males.23
Personality what they are like
A peaceful, easy-going tetra that does best with calm fish of a similar size. In a good-sized group any fin-nipping fades away.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An active schooling fish that uses the upper and middle water; it likes some open swimming space.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Easy to look after and tolerant of a wide range of water conditions. Regular partial water changes keep it in top colour.21
Home where they are happiest
Tank of at least 60 x 38 x 30 cm (about 68 litres) for a small group, larger for bigger groups. Water 22-28 °C, pH 5.5-8.0, hardness 0-20 dGH. Planted or well-structured tanks suit it.21
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A micropredator that eats insects, worms and small crustaceans in the wild. In the aquarium offer small live or frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp alongside flakes and granules.21
Company who they like around
Keep at least 6, preferably 10 or more. Good with other South American tetras, pencilfish, small cichlids and Corydoras.21
The story where it all began
S. H. Weitzman described this tetra in 1957 and named it after James E. Böhlke of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, who studied South American characins. It is one of three species in the genus Thayeria and has long been a popular aquarium fish.321
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its black stripe bends into the lower tail lobe, earning it the nickname hockey-stick tetra.3
- 2
It is a very prolific species, with a single clutch reported at up to 1,000 eggs.3
- 3
The eggs hatch in roughly 20 to 24 hours.1
- 4
It is named after the American ichthyologist James E. Böhlke.3
- 5
It is one of only three species in the genus Thayeria.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 7 November 2018)1
- FishBase
- Used commercially in the aquarium trade1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Penguin Tetra. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FishBase species summary: Thayeria boehlkei fishbase.seused for describer, maximum length, distribution, water range, IUCN status
- Seriously Fish species profile: Thayeria boehlkei seriouslyfish.comused for aquarium care, water parameters, behaviour, diet, sexing, habitat
- Wikipedia: Thayeria boehlkei en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, taxonomy history, etymology, breeding
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.