Correct tank size ? + help with penguin tetras

[Prehistoric_Ghost]

Hi so I have been gifted some fish, however I dont Know much about them

I’m also not really sure how many gallons this tank is ?

I read somewhere you should keep penguin tetras in groups of 6+ do I have enough tank space to add that? I don’t want to over stock

also I plan on re doing the tank a bit adding more plants etc I was maybe hoping for a bit of advice on what would be a good setup with penguin tetras,, also the tank has no lights do I need lights ? What should I get

 

[Prehistoric_Ghost]

Hi so I have been gifted some fish, however I dont Know much about them

I’m also not really sure how many gallons this tank is ?

I read somewhere you should keep penguin tetras in groups of 6+ do I have enough tank space to add that? I don’t want to over stock

View attachment 129146
View attachment 129147

also I plan on re doing the tank a bit adding more plants etc I was maybe hoping for a bit of advice on what would be a good setup with penguin tetras,, also the tank has no lights do I need lights ? What should I get

I forgot to say they are penguin tetras lmao,, I said so in the title but yes^

 

[Essjay]

If you filled the tank up so the water surface is hidden by the hood, and ignore the slight curve at the front, it's 57 litres/15 gallons. Maybe a tiny bit more because of the curved front.


The fish look like false penguin tetras, though most shops will sell them as just penguin tetras.

Thayeria boehlkei (False Penguin Tetra) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

Seriously Fish is just about the most reliable website out there, and they reckon penguins need a 60 cm long tank so your tank is just big enough for them.


The light depends on whether the plant is live or fake. It looks like an anubias in the photo. These are slow growing low light plants which are grown attached to decor. If it is live, you do need a light but until you can sort something out, a table lamp shining into the tank would be enough for an anubias in the short term if you have one. Something the style of an anglepoise lamp is best as that can be angled to shine straight into the tank.
Does the tank lid have a fitting for a light? If you could post a photo of the inside of the lid we could suggest what to get.

 

[Essjay]

Forgot to mention - something covering the back of the tank would make the fish feel safer. Even just a black bin bag taped onto the back is good. That would give you time to choose a background more to your liking

 

[Bub]

60cm is quite small for a schooling fish that can get well over 2 inches, even up to 3 inches. My old school were quite big.

 

[Essjay]

When Seriously Fish gives a minimum tank size, that's if the species in question is the only species in the tank. So that 60 cm minimum is for penguins only. If you want other fish as well, you do need bigger.

 

[Bub]

Even with just penguins, that's a small tank.

 

[Essjay]

I must admit I was surprised that SF said 60 cm length was the minimum.