Dwarf Pencilfish - Wild Caught 2cm

Dwarf Pencil Fish
 

The dwarf pencil fish is a fantastic species for aquarists who are searching for unique, rare, and wild-looking fish for their nano biotopes or planted aquarium. These pencil fish will very much have a niche following and will be better suited for experienced aquarists. though they are easy to care for once they settle in, feeding requirements and the cost factor of these fish means they may not be best for beginner aquarists. These fish only reach 4 cm in length and would be the perfect fish for a South American blackwater aquarium. 

Dwarf pencil fish do not have the most flashy colours compared to most aquarium fish however their simplicity and mild highlights make them beautiful fish in their own regard. These fish are quite thin and long hence the resemblance to a pencil, they have very small mouths and tend to remain quite stationary with small movements just to keep them hovering. The nape of the pencil fish is grey with a crisscross of scales, this leads down to a thin black bar that runs from the top of the eye to the tail. There are also 2 cream-colored lines that run across the body and belly which are separated by a thick, jet-black bar that runs across the lateral line. For some additional contrast, the dwarf pencil fish have red spots that a presence on all the fins and just after the gill plate. 

Pencil fish aren’t bred too regularly in the home aquarium, their niche demand also goes towards why their price is higher compared to other nano fish species. These fish usually require a low PH and certain environmental triggers for them to begin breeding. Though this can be replicated in the home aquarium, it can be quite hard to nail and get the trigger for spawning. These are egg-scattering fish that won’t show any parental care either but the ideal breeding set-up would be a small aquarium with dense plants and botanicals to ensure a low PH and plant cover for the fry. The fry should be fed rotifers or liquid meals until they can survive on their own because they are extremely small. This challenge of rearing up the fry makes this fish a fun breeding project to consider. 

Tank Recommendations for your Dwarf Pencil Fish 

A small group of Red pencil fish only requires a tank of 40 liters. This ensures that there’s ample space for around 5 pencil fish which will make them feel most comfortable. In the wild, pencil fish come from slow-moving, shallow waters that are dense with botanicals and plants. Though they will do fine in a high-tech planted aquarium, it is best that the required water parameters these fish need are met. These pencil fish are not too fussed on hardscape and but a tight-fitting lid will be a requirement since they can jump.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Dwarf pencil fish are very slow-moving and would do best being kept alone or with equally nano tank mates. These fish have very small mouths and ensuring they are properly fed when other tank mates are present can be a challenge. 

Usually compatible

Celestial pearl danios, peacock gudgeons, emerald Raspboras, and similar species nano species. 

Sometimes Compatible

Apistogramma, rams, and other territorial fish may show minimal but long-term aggression to the sensitive-natured pencil fish. 

Rarely Compatible

Predatory South American cichlids and African cichlids will for sure make a meal out of the pencil fish.  

Feeding your Dwarf Pencil Fish 

Dwarf pencil fish should take to foods quite easily however they require incredibly small foods. Their mouth is best shaped to eat small works and their diet can easily consist of a nano pellet or flake along with white worms, micro worms, and even black worms.