Harrison's pencilfish

Nannostomus harrisoni

FishFreshwater

Nannostomus harrisoni reaches up to 4 cm. Its body is elongated with an upward mouth. It has a thick horizontal black line on the flank, and a bright red spot on the anal fin. The caudal fin is hyaline with red reflections. It is a peaceful, schooling surface-dwelling fish. It is less common in the aquarium trade than other Nannostomus. It prefers soft, acidic water. Its behavior is similar to other pencilfish.

Recommended parameters

ParameterRecommended range
Temperature23–28
pH5.5–7
GH2–10
KH1–5
NO₃≤ 20
PO₄≤ 0.5

Care

Difficulty2/5
Dietcarnivore
Min. tank40 L
Min. group6
Adult size4 cm
Lifespan4 ans
TemperamentPeaceful

Care notes

Aquarium of at least 40 liters, well planted with shaded areas. Soft and acidic water (pH 5.5-7.0, GH 2-10) at 23-28°C. Diet: small insects, brine shrimp, daphnia, and fine dry food. Compatible with other small peaceful fish. Keep in groups of at least 6. Avoid aggressive tankmates. Regular water changes. Sensitive to water quality.