All fish / Lebiasinidae

Harrison's pencilfish

Nannostomus harrisoni

Also known as harrisons pencilfish, harrison pencilfish, blackstripe pencilfish, nannostomus harrisoni, ハリソニー・ペンシルフィッシュ, 哈里森铅笔鱼

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A slim pencilfish with a bold black stripe running from snout to tail, edged above with a golden line and often with red at the base of the tail and fins. It is one of the larger members of the genus and is kept for its smart look and calm behaviour in planted, softwater community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult size: 5.5 cm
Temperature: 24 to 28 °C
pH: 5 to 7
Smallest tank: 80 litres
Keep as: Group of 8 or more
Diet: Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp and bloodworm, plus fine flakes and micro pellets
Swims: Top of the tank
Lifespan: 4 to 6 years
Water: Freshwater
Wild range: Guyana and northern South America (Demerara and Essequibo region; also reported from Colombia and Venezuela)

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine-leaved plants and the parents will eat them, so a separate tank with soft, acidic water and a mesh or plant cover helps. It is bred only occasionally in captivity and the tiny fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

Has a small mouth and is shy, so avoid boisterous or large tankmates and keep a tight lid as it can jump. Night colouring shows faint bars, which is normal.