Thayeria Obliqua

Datasheet

General Description

Thayeria Obliqua, also known as Penguin Tetra, is one of the three species in the Thayeria genus. The most popular in the aquarium hobby, this species is visually striking with an oblique swimming style typical of the genus. This tetra can be distinguished by the thick black stripe that fades before reaching the dorsal fin, unlike its close relative, Thayeria boehlkei. In their natural habitat in the Amazon and Rio Tocantins basins of Brazil, these tetras prefer jungle streams with dense marginal vegetation.

Aquarium Setup

Thayeria Obliqua thrives in a heavily planted aquarium or a well-maintained community tank environment. Consider adding twisted roots, smooth rocks, and dark substrate. For a jungle biotope-style tank, use river sand, driftwood branches, and dried leaves for a natural look. Additionally, incorporating floating plants can provide the shaded conditions preferred by these tetras. The water should be slightly diffused or dimmed to mimic their natural habitat.

Behaviour

Penguin Tetras are peaceful species that thrive in groups of at least 6, preferably 10 or more. They are schooling fish by nature and do best when kept in the company of their own kind. In a community tank, they should be housed with other South American species or smaller rasboras, barbs, and small cichlids. Maintaining them in sufficient numbers reduces the potential for fin-nipping as they tend to concentrate on interactions within the school.

Feeding and Diet

In nature, Thayeria Obliqua feeds on small insects, worms, crustaceans, and zooplankton. To maintain their best condition and colors in captivity, provide a diet of small live and frozen foods like bloodworms, Daphnia, and Artemia. They should also accept high-quality dried flakes and granules as part of their regular meals.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

There are no documented reports of successful captive breeding of Thayeria Obliqua. However, their reproductive strategy is likely similar to that of T. boehlkei. Adult females can be distinguished by their rounder bellies and slightly less intense coloration compared to males.

Habitat and Distribution

Native to the central regions of the Amazon and Rio Tocantins basins in Brazil, Penguin Tetras inhabit jungle streams and tributaries with dense marginal vegetation. They prefer water conditions with a pH range of 6.0-7.0, hardness of 0-15 dH, and temperatures between 22-28°C.