{"product_id":"balloon-penguin-tetra-thayeria-boehlkei","title":"Balloon Penguin Tetra | Thayeria boehlkei","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Penguin Tetra swims at a jaunty, head-up angle, its bold black 'hockey-stick' stripe running from the gill through the body and into the lower tail. This Balloon form is a selectively bred, short-bodied variant with the same lively character. An active, peaceful shoaler with bags of personality, it reaches around 5–6 cm and shines in a group in a planted tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThayeria boehlkei comes from the slow tributaries and floodplains of the western Amazon basin in Peru and Brazil, where it shoals among submerged branches and vegetation in soft, warm, often tannin-stained water. A planted tank with driftwood, some shade and open swimming space recreates its home and shows off its distinctive posture.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA silvery, torpedo-shaped tetra marked by a striking black band that runs the length of the body and angles down into the lower tail lobe, held at a head-up tilt as it swims. The Balloon form has a shortened, deeper body created by selective breeding. Colour and the crispness of the stripe improve in a settled group over darker substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful, active and social, best kept in a shoal of six or more, where it is confident and constantly on the move. It mixes beautifully with other small, peaceful community fish. Kept in too small a group it can become skittish or occasionally nippy, so a proper school is important for good behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn easygoing micro-omnivore that takes quality flake, micro pellets and small frozen and live foods such as daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp. A varied diet keeps the school active and well coloured. Feed small amounts a couple of times a day.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L for a good-sized shoal. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately soft water, around GH 2–12. Provide planting, driftwood and open swimming space, with a gentle current and a secure lid. It is hardy and undemanding, making it a great community shoaler. Completely plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn egg-scatterer that will spawn among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops in soft, slightly acidic water. The adults give no parental care and will eat the eggs, so a separate breeding tank with a mesh or dense planting protects the spawn. Fry hatch in a couple of days and are raised on infusoria and then baby brine shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThayeria boehlkei\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBalloon Penguin Tetra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Amazon basin (Peru, Brazil)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 5–6 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (micro): flake, micro pellets, small frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderate, around 2–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other small peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, corydoras, dwarf cichlids and other gentle community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large or aggressive fish, fin-nippers, and anything big enough to eat a small tetra. Avoid keeping it in ones or twos, which makes it nervous.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232815661347,"sku":"AA3121","price":7.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232815694115,"sku":"AA3121-M","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/balloon-penguin-tetra.png?v=1790333602","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/balloon-penguin-tetra-thayeria-boehlkei","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}