Penguin tetra

The penguin tetra is a small freshwater characin of the family Characidae, native to the Amazon basin, including parts of Peru and Brazil. It has a silvery, elongated body crossed by a distinctive bold black stripe that runs from the gill area into the lower lobe of the tail, and it often rests at a characteristic head-up, tail-down angle. It is a peaceful, active shoaling fish that must be kept in a group of at least six to feel secure and reduce fin-nipping tendencies. A planted tank with open swimming space, soft to moderately hard water and gentle flow suits it well. It is an omnivore that readily takes flake, small pellets, frozen and live foods. It is an egg-scatterer that provides no parental care and will eat its own eggs. Hardy and undemanding, it is a good schooling fish for community aquariums.