Brown Pencilfish — a Lebiasinidae from 南美洲, gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few. Reaches 3.8–5.5 cm; schools tightly; never keep below 6. 23–28 °C.
Care parameters
Water temperature
23–28 °C
pH
5–6
GH hardness
5–12 dGH
Adult length
3.8–5.5 cm
Minimum tank
36 L
Water layer
Bottom-dwelling
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperament
Gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few
Origin
南美洲
Species overview
Lebiasinidae species Nannostomus eques comes from 南美洲. A mid-water shoaler whose colour and courage arrive together, with the group. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 3.8–5.5 cm. Schools tightly; never keep below 6. Dark substrate, gentle light, big school — the three levers for this fish. Maintain 23–28 °C at pH 5–6. Water quality and diet matter more than décor.
Native biotope
Habitat
Warm freshwater streams and lakes
Flow
Still to gentle current
Dissolved O₂
Moderate oxygen levels
Aquascape & hardware
Substrate
Fine sand and gravel
Hardscape
Driftwood and smooth stones
Plants
Hardy common aquarium plants
Temperament, diet & tankmates
Schooling
Schools tightly; never keep below 6
Diet
Mid-water omnivore; colour foods keep the red honest
Recommended tankmates
Other small peaceful tetras and rasboras — Form a mixed, calm mid-water mass
Avoid keeping with
Single-species isolation — A lone tetra is a stressed tetra