Thayeria Ifati

Datasheet

General Description

The Thayeria Ifati, commonly known as the Half-Striped Penguin Tetra, is a visually appealing small fish with distinct markings. This species, part of the Characidae family, showcases a unique oblique swimming pattern typical of its genus. Adult T. Ifati individuals can reach sizes of up to 5.1cm. They are endemic to the rivers Maroni and Approuague in French Guiana, with previous occurrences in Brazil and Guyana being misidentifications.

Aquarium Setup

To create an ideal habitat for Thayeria Ifati, a minimum tank size of 70 litres is recommended. This species thrives in heavily planted aquariums with a preference for a dark substrate and floating plants to provide the desired shaded conditions. Tank decorations can include twisted roots, smooth rocks, and stones. For a jungle biotope-style tank, river sand substrate, driftwood branches, and dried leaves can be added to simulate natural habitats.

Behaviour

Half-Striped Penguin Tetras are known for their peaceful nature, making them suitable tankmates for other South American species like tetras, pencil fish, small cichlids, Corydoras, and Loricariids. It's advisable to keep them in groups of at least 6, preferably 10 or more, as they are schooling species that exhibit improved behavior and reduced fin-nipping tendencies when in larger groups.

Feeding and Diet

In the wild, Thayeria Ifati feeds on small insects, worms, crustaceans, and zooplankton. In captivity, they should be fed a diet of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, Daphnia, and Artemia to maintain their best condition and colors. Additionally, they can accept dried flakes and granules as part of their regular meals.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

There are no documented reports of successful captive breeding of Thayeria Ifati; however, it is likely that the breeding strategy would be similar to that of closely related species like T. boehlkei. Sexual dimorphism in this species manifests as adult females being more rounded in the belly and slightly less intensely colored than males.

Habitat and Distribution

Thayeria Ifati is found in various habitats, including rivers, streams, creeks, ponds, and small lakes, with a preference for calmer zones. This species is primarily distributed in the rivers Maroni and Approuague in French Guiana. Expert consensus suggests that a revision of Thayeria species is needed for a clearer taxonomy.