All fish / Lebiasinidae

Three-lined pencilfish

Nannostomus trifasciatus

Also known as three lined pencilfish, threeline pencilfish, three-striped pencilfish, three stripe pencilfish, trifasciatus pencilfish, 3-line pencilfish, pencil fish, トリファスキアータス, ナノストムス・トリファスキアータス, pensil tiga garis, 三线铅笔鱼, 三线铅笔

A slim pencilfish with a gold and black striped body, with a broad black band along the flank and patches of red on the fins and at the base of the tail. It is one of the most colourful pencilfish and suits calm, densely planted soft water tanks with dim lighting and floating plants. It has a striking night pattern, when the stripes fade into dark blotches.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp, plus fine flakes and micro pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon, Rio Negro, Orinoco and Guiana Shield basins (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana)

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine-leaved plants or moss and gives no parental care, so the adults will eat the eggs. Spawning happens in soft, acidic water but is not very productive. The fry are tiny and need infusoria at first.

Good to know

It is shy and has a small mouth, so do not keep it with boisterous or large tankmates. Males can squabble mildly, and wild-caught fish may need careful acclimatisation.