Three-lined Pencilfish

Nannostomus trifasciatus, the Three-lined Pencilfish, is found across the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Its three distinct black stripes on a golden-yellow body create clean, elegant contrast. Like all pencilfish, it adopts a distinctive oblique head-down posture at night. A peaceful species well suited to nano and small planted aquariums with soft, acidic water.

Water: 24–28°C, pH 5.5–7.0, soft and slightly acidic. Tank: 40 L minimum; densely planted nano aquariums with gentle filtration and subdued lighting. Feeding: Micro-pellets, small flake, baby brine shrimp, micro-worms and crushed flake. Behaviour: Peaceful schooling species; keep 8+; adopts oblique night-time resting posture. Compatibility: Ideal with other nano fish, small tetras, pygmy corydoras, and dwarf shrimp.