Barred Pencilfish

The barred pencilfish is immediately distinguished by the four to five dark, comma-shaped blotches arranged in a row on its body instead of the continuous line found on other pencilfish. It is a small species with a golden-brown body, about 3.5 cm long. It comes from a narrow area in Guyana and is rarely found in the trade. Its calm nature makes it a good choice for planted nano tanks.

• At least 40 liters for a group of 8–12.
• 23–27°C, pH 5–7, soft water.
• Dense plants, floating plants and dim light.
• It can jump; a lid is required.

Its mouth is small. Micro granules, fine flakes, frozen cyclops and newly hatched brine shrimp are suitable. It mostly takes food from the middle and upper layers and rarely picks up food that falls to the bottom. Feed small amounts 1–2 times a day.

A peaceful and calm species; it swims in groups in the middle layer. It does not harm other species and can be kept safely with shrimp.

Good companions: micro rasboras, small tetras, pygmy corydoras, otocinclus, dwarf shrimp.

Avoid: fast and greedy species, large fish, fin nippers.