If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. That’s how we keep the site running. How we choose.
Contents
Overview
The penguin tetra gets its name from its silvery body and a bold black stripe that runs down into the lower lobe of the tail, like a hockey stick. Its most distinctive habit is swimming at a slight head-up tilt, especially when the school is hovering.
It is native to the Amazon basin in Peru and Brazil, but nearly all the fish in the trade are captive-bred. It is active, hardy and peaceful, and it occupies the middle and upper levels of the tank, adding plenty of movement to a community setup. It is a good beginner fish for anyone with a bit more room than a neon tetra needs, since it is larger and a stronger swimmer.
Care and tank setup
Penguin tetras need open swimming space: at least a 20-gallon long (80 L), roughly 30 inches (75 cm) wide, for a school of eight. Use a cycled tank, a filter with moderate flow and a heater.
- Decor: plant the sides and back and keep the front open. A tight-fitting lid is a must: they are jumpers.
- Water: they do well in soft to moderately hard water as long as it is clean. Change 25-30% weekly and keep ammonia and nitrite at zero.
- Tank mates: similar-sized tetras, corydoras, small plecos, rasboras and calm gouramis. Very small, shy fish may get outcompeted at feeding time.
In small groups they turn skittish and one fish may start bossing the others. A larger school spreads out the squabbles and shows off that synchronized tilted swimming.
Feeding
A greedy omnivore that feeds mostly in midwater and at the surface. Flakes and small pellets are taken readily; add mosquito larvae, brine shrimp or daphnia, live or frozen, a few times a week to keep them in top shape. Two small meals a day beat one large one, and remove anything that sinks and goes uneaten.
Breeding
A highly prolific egg scatterer: one female can release hundreds of eggs among the plants, with no parental care. In a breeding tank with fairly soft water, moss or mesh on the bottom and dim light, spawning usually happens early in the morning. Remove the parents afterward, as they eat the eggs. Fry are free-swimming after four to five days and take infusoria, then baby brine shrimp.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Penguin tetra. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Common goldfish Carassius auratus 79 gal (300 L) · 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Amano shrimp Caridina multidentata 11 gal (40 L) · 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Penguin tetra, and why.
- Clown loach: one may eat the other due to size
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Penguin tetra healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Penguin tetra need?
At least about 80 liters for a group of at least 8 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Penguin tetra need?
Between 22 and 28 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Penguin tetra?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Betta fish, Bronze cory, Zebra danio and Guppy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Penguin tetra be kept with shrimp?
Yes: it usually won’t eat adult shrimp, though some shrimplets may get picked off. A tank with plenty of moss gives the babies cover.
