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Name: Nannostomus marginatus |
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Origin: Surinam, Guyana |
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Size |
Tank |
pH |
Temp |
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4 cm |
40 L |
6.8 |
25°C |
These are such wonderful little fish! They stay tiny, and they are very peaceful. They eat flake and live brine shrimp, and seem to like both foods equally. These little guys like to hover quite a bit, and when I had them I rarely saw them swim. Pencilfish are a cousin to the tetra, which is kind of interesting because they exhibit some of the same traits, such as fading once the tank lights are turned off, and taking awhile to "color up" once the light is turned back on. If you've got a small tank, and would like something a little out of the ordinary that won't break your bank, pencilfish may be exactly what suits your needs.
A shy, peaceful fish which needs a well planted tank where it swims in all water levels. This fish possesses interesting body markings. One of the more colourful of the pencil fish. Not very active but, even when stationary, its pectoral fins can be seen beating rapidly to keep it hovering in one place. When frightened, it moves very rapidly. Very difficult to breed. Requires temperatures of 23-27°C to breed. Adults may eat the eggs.
I have had my pencil fish for 3 months now and they are great, but they can jump out of the tank sometimes. Mine jump out right in front of me when I do a water change.
One of the most interesting of the pencil fishes. They are unfortunately rarely available, at least in the Mid West USA. I have only found a single specimen for sale in the Chicago area. Marginatus proved easy to care for in a peaceful community aquarium, populated with other characins. I have maintained this individual in fairly hard tap water for several years now. Being alone has not bothered him as he usually hangs out with other pencil fishes in the aquarium.
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