Blackline penguinfish (Thayeria boehlkei)

Scientific name: Thayeria boehlkei Weitzman, 1957

Blackline penguinfish (Thayeria boehlkei)

The Blackline penguinfish (Thayeria boehlkei) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows to about 3.5 cm (1.4 in). It is moderate to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 55 L (15 US gal), water at 22–28°C (72–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: South America, Amazon River in Peru and the Araguaia River in Western Brazil.

Blackline penguinfish care at a glance

Care level
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful
Community tank
Excellent
Adult size
3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Minimum tank
55 L (15 US gal)
Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
4–19 dGH (71–339 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, freeze-dried foods and frozen foods.

Biology

Feeds on worms, small insects and crustaceans. In the tank, female lays a large number of eggs, which hatch in about 20 to 24 hours. Maximum length reported to reach 6 cm TL. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Thayeria boehlkei
Family
Characidae (Characins)
Order
Characiformes (Characins)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
3.2
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 pelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: upper Amazon River basin in Peru and Araguaia River in Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More tetras & characins

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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