Red-tailed Pencilfish

Nannostomus rubrocaudatus

Family : Characidae

FishFreshwaterPencilfish

A small peaceful pencilfish with a bright red tail, perfect for planted and blackwater aquariums.

Popularity
Community fish
classic in freshwater aquarium
Availability
Common in shops
Shop availability
IUCN Status
LC
Least Concern
Biotope
South America
Hors bassin amazonien : Paraná, Orénoque, Andes.

Description

Nannostomus rubrocaudatus reaches about 3 cm. Its elongated, slender body is typical of pencilfishes. The caudal fin is intense red, contrasting with the silvery body. A thin black horizontal line runs along the flank. It lives in schools and enjoys soft, acidic water. Its behavior is very peaceful, making it an excellent community fish. In the aquarium, it often stays in mid-water and is active.

Habitat

Region :

Small streams and blackwater creeks in Peruvian Amazon

Distribution :

Recommended parameters

Temperature2328 °C
pH5.57
GH110 °dGH
KH15 °dKH
NO₃
≤ 20 mg/L
PO₄
≤ 0.5 mg/L

Care

Difficulty
2/5
Diet
Carnivore
Min. tank
60 L
Min. group
6
Adult size
3 cm
Lifespan
4 years
Temperament
Peaceful
Propagation
egg-layer

Care notes

Keep temperature at 23-28°C, pH 5.5-7.0, GH 1-10. A minimum 60-liter tank is recommended for a group of 6. Water should be well-filtered with moderate flow. Provide a varied diet: micro-worms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and fine flakes. Floating plants and dense vegetation are appreciated. Avoid overly active or large tankmates. Compatible with other small tetras, rasboras, and corydoras.

Similar species

Espèces proches, même habitat ou même maintenance

References