Hockey-stick Tetra (Thayeria obliqua) Care Guide
Thayeria obliqua is a peaceful Amazonian schooling tetra marked by a diagonal black stripe running into the lower caudal lobe.
Overview
Thayeria obliqua is a small characid in the family Characidae. FishBase records it from the middle Amazon, middle Tocantins and Guaporé River basins in South America. It is closely related to Thayeria boehlkei and carries a similar diagonal black stripe that extends into the lower caudal lobe.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Thayeria
- Scientific name: Thayeria obliqua
Habitat
FishBase classes it as a pelagic tropical freshwater fish. Seriously Fish describes the habitat as jungle streams and tributaries, presumably with dense marginal vegetation.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (Aquairi KB); Seriously Fish notes 60 L for a small group
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 5.8-7.5 (Aquairi KB); Seriously Fish 6.0-7.0
- GH: 2-12 °dGH (Aquairi KB); Seriously Fish up to 15 °H
- School size: at least 6, preferably 10 or more
- Maximum size: about 7.6 cm SL (FishBase)
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
An omnivore. According to Seriously Fish, it naturally consumes small insects, worms and crustaceans; in aquaria it accepts small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia, plus dried flakes and granules.
Compatibility
A peaceful schooling species that should be kept in groups. Seriously Fish reports it fares poorly with aggressive or much larger tankmates and lists suitable companions such as South American tetras, pencilfish, Apistogramma, small cichlids, Corydoras and Loricariids.
Breeding
FishBase records the species as oviparous (egg-laying). Seriously Fish notes no documented reports of successful captive breeding.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 04 March 2021), per FishBase.