Description
Balloon Hockeystick Tetra (Thayeria boehlkei “Balloon”)
📌 Basic Info
Scientific Name: Thayeria boehlkei (Balloon morph)
Common Name: Balloon Hockeystick Tetra
Size: ~2 inches (5 cm)
Lifespan: 3 – 4 years
Tank Zone: Middle to upper swimmers
🌊 Water Parameters
TDS: 80 – 200 ppm
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 24°C – 28°C (75°F – 82°F)
Water Type: Soft to neutral
🐟 Characteristics
Selective-bred balloon-shaped variant of Hockeystick Tetra
Same “penguin stripe” but with a rounder, shorter body
Peaceful but less hardy than the normal form
🍽️ Food
Type: Omnivorous
Diet: Flakes, micro-pellets, live/frozen foods
Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times daily
🛠️ Maintenance
Weekly water change: 25%
Needs stable, well-filtered water
Avoid strong currents (their body shape makes swimming harder)
👥 Social Behavior
Minimum Group Size: 6 (better in 8–10)
Tank Mates: Peaceful fish – rasboras, guppies, mollies, dwarf corydoras
Avoid: Aggressive fish, strong fin-nippers
✅ Do’s
Keep in peaceful community setups
Provide plants + open swimming zones
Feed a varied diet for health
❌ Don’ts
Don’t keep in unstable water → they are more sensitive
Don’t mix with aggressive fish
Don’t put in tanks with strong current
⭐ Quick Tips
A cute, rounded version of the hockeystick tetra. Peaceful but a little more delicate than the standard form.
