Glittering Pencilfish 2cm

Glittering Pencilfish

The Glittering Pencilfish is a rare and dazzling nano species that truly lives up to its name. Native to the blackwater streams of the Amazon Basin, this elegant surface dweller brings sparkle and serenity to any peaceful, planted aquarium. Known for their shimmering iridescence and graceful schooling behaviour, these fish are a dream come true for aquarists chasing that subtle, wild-caught beauty. 

Glittering pencil fish do not have the most flashy colours compared to most aquarium fish however, their simplicity and metallic highlights make them a beautiful fish in their own right. These fish are quite thin and long, hence the resemblance to a pencil; they have a very small mouth 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, which all have a silver metallic sheen to them. There are also 2 cream coloured 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 glittering pencil fish have red flashes that a present 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 setup 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 raising the fry makes this fish a fun breeding project to consider. 

Tank Recommendations for your Glittering Pencil Fish 

A small group of glittering pencil fish only requires a tank of 40 litres. 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.

Glittering 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 Rasboras, and similar species are 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 glittering pencil fish 

Glittering 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, microworms, and even black worms.