Family: Lebiasinidae
Brown Pencilfish — a Lebiasinidae from South America, gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few. Reaches 3.8–5.5 cm; schools tightly; never keep below 6. 23–28 °C.
Nannostomus eques is a Lebiasinidae from South America. In the wild it prefers warm freshwater streams and lakes; in the aquarium it stays gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few. Plan on 3.8–5.5 cm of adult fish at 23–28 °C. Related profiles: Nannostomus beckfordi, Nannostomus harrisoni, Nannostomus marginatus.
Difficulty: moderate. Gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few. Schools tightly; never keep below 6.
Hold 23–28 °C and keep it stable — 23–28 °C recorded range. Stable temperature matching the species origin.
Adults reach 3.8–5.5 cm; it is bottom-dwelling. Plan for at least 36 litres.
Mid-water omnivore; colour foods keep the red honest. Feed two small meals a day rather than one large one.
Gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few. Recommended tankmates: Other small peaceful tetras and rasboras — Form a mixed, calm mid-water mass. Avoid Single-species isolation — A lone tetra is a stressed tetra.
Comes from South America: warm freshwater streams and lakes. Expect still to gentle current and moderate oxygen levels.
Not a noted jumper — a standard cover still keeps dust and spray in.
Egg-scatterer over fine plants; no parental care. Subtle external differences.