Edit Nannostomus eques

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Name

Scientific name

Nannostomus eques

Described by

Authority Steindachner, Year 1876

Family

Lebiasinidae

Common names

Hockeystick Pencilfish

Photograph credits

All 7 credited

Summary

The hockeystick pencilfish, Nannostomus eques, is a lebiasinid from the central and upper Amazon, the Orinoco drainage and rivers of Guyana…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

35mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–28°C, pH 4.5–7.5

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela, Amazon, Curuni, Essequibo, Guaviare, Içá, Inírida, Japurá, Madeira, Negro, Orinoco, Putumayo, Solimões, Tapajós, Trombetas

Writing

Etymology

Nannostomus: from the Latin nannus, meaning 'small', and Greek stoma, meaning 'mouth', in reference to the small mouthparts of member species. eques: from the …

Distribution

Described from the Peruvian Amazon above Tabatinga, the latter being located in the Três Fronteiras region of Amazonas state, northwestern Brazil, where the bo…

Habitat

Inhabits sluggish tributaries, small rivers, and swampy zones, especially in areas where aquatic vegetation grows densely or with submerged woody structures an…

Aquarium size

Base dimensions of at least 60 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are required.

Maintenance

Should ideally be kept in a heavily-planted set-up, preferably with a dark substrate and some patches of floating vegetation around which the fish will tend to…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

A micropredator feeding on tiny invertebrates and other zooplankton in nature. In the aquarium it will accept dried foods of a suitable size but should also be…

Behaviour and compatibility

Very peaceful but does not make an ideal community fish due to its small size and rather timid nature. In a community it's best kept with similarly-sized, peac…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males are more colourful and usually slimmer than females, and also possess an enlarged anal-fin.

Reproduction

Has been achieved in aquaria, albeit rarely, and in a densely-planted, mature aquarium it's possible that small numbers of fry may start to appear without inte…

Has been achieved in aquaria, albeit rarely, and in a densely-planted, mature aquarium it's possible that small numbers of fry may start to appear without intervention.

However if you want to increase the yield of fry a slightly more controlled approach is required.

The adult group can still be conditioned together but one or more smaller containers should also be set up and filled with aged water.

Unlike the majority of congeners this species deposits its eggs in single batches on the underside of plant leaves, so a clump or two of broad-leaved aquatic plants such as Anubias, Microsorum, or Echinodorus should also be added.

When the adult fish are well-conditioned a single pair or group comprising one or two males and several females can then be introduced to each container, though it's worth noting that the more individuals involved the greater the risk of egg predation, and this species will eat any eggs it finds.

Once eggs are seen the adults or plant itself should be removed, with a separate hatching tank required using the latter approach.

The first fry should be visible after around 24-36 hours with the majority free-swimming by the 5th or 6th day.

Initial food should be Paramecium or a proprietary dry food of sufficiently small (5-50 micron) grade, introducing Artemia nauplii, microworm, etc., once the fry are large enough to accept them.

In memory of late expert fish-breeder Alan P. Vaissiere who assisted extensively with this section.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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Year

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Pages

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Notes

This species has been referred to the genera Poecilobrycon and Nannobrycon in the past and in the aquarium hobby is also known as 'rocket', 'brown', 'brown-tai…

References

7 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References