One half of a same-sex penguin couple whose love “captivated the world” has died at the age of 12.

Sphen leaves behind his gentoo penguin colleague Magic around six years after the death of employees of an aquarium in Sydney noticed that they were building a nest together.

The staff gave them an egg to hatch before the couple became symbols of same-sex relationships.

Aquarium staff brought Magic to Sphen’s body after his death earlier this month. They said the bird immediately began singing, followed shortly after by the colony’s other 45 penguins.

Gentoo penguins, which have an average lifespan of 12 to 13 years, can make sounds ranging from hooting to screaming, which their mates can usually identify based on the voices of other penguins in the group.

Rachel Dilly, general manager of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, said Magic would “soon prepare for his first breeding season without sphene”.

The couple’s love inspired a float in Sydney’s world-famous Mardi Gras parade for gays and lesbians.

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They also appeared in the Netflix series Atypical – a comedy-drama series in which the main character has an obsession with penguins.

Ms Dilly said: “Sphen and Magic’s love story has captivated the world and it was an honour to welcome local and international fans.”

In obituaries on the aquarium’s website, people talked about how much happiness the penguin lovers had brought into their lives.

One wrote: “Sphen is going to have a blast up there surfing the rainbow waves.

“Penguin superstar Sphen, thank you for being there. We will miss you.”