Diptail Pencilfish

Nannostomus eques, the Diptail or Brown Pencilfish, is unique among pencilfish for its habit of swimming at a distinctive head-up angle, mimicking floating sticks or leaf stems as camouflage. Found in Amazon, Orinoco, and Guiana blackwater streams, it has a rich brown body with a cream lateral line and bright red patches at the base of the tail. Best kept in groups in a heavily planted, dimly lit blackwater aquarium.

Maintain in soft, acidic blackwater conditions with Indian almond leaves or peat. Dense planting and dim lighting essential to replicate natural habitat and reduce stress. Keep in groups of 8+. Feed micro-pellets, daphnia, artemia nauplii, and small frozen foods. Peaceful with all nano community fish. Avoid strong current.