Three-banded pencilfish
Nannostomus trifasciatus
Nannostomus trifasciatus reaches up to 4 cm. Its body is elongated with an upward mouth. It has three thick horizontal black bands on a silvery background. The caudal fin is orange-red. It differs from N. eques by broader bands and slightly smaller size. It is a peaceful, schooling surface-dwelling fish. It prefers soft, acidic water. It is often confused with N. eques but can be differentiated by the band pattern.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 23–28 |
| pH | 5.5–7 |
| GH | 2–10 |
| KH | 1–5 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.5 |
Care
Care notes
Aquarium of at least 40 liters, planted with floating plants. Soft and acidic water (pH 5.5-7.0, GH 2-10) at 23-28°C. Diet: micro-worms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and fine dry food. Compatible with other small peaceful fish. Keep in groups of at least 6. Avoid strong currents. Weekly water changes. Sensitive to high nitrates.