Edit Nannostomus marginatus
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Nannostomus marginatus
Described by
Authority Eigenmann, Year 1909
Family
Lebiasinidae
Common names
Dwarf Pencilfish
Photograph credits
All 10 credited
Summary
The dwarf pencilfish, Nannostomus marginatus, is a lebiasinid of Guyana, Suriname and the middle-to-lower Amazon in Peru, Colombia and Braz…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
25mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 45 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–28°C, pH 4–7
Hardness
1–10dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Amazon, Ampiyacu, Branco, Caquetá, Corantijn, Courantyne, Demerara, Essequibo, Inírida, Japurá, Jurua, Napo, Negro, Nickerie, Putumayo, Rupununi, Takutu, Trombetas, Ucayali, Yavarí
Writing
Etymology
Nannostomus: from the Latin nannus, meaning 'small', and Greek stoma, meaning 'mouth', in reference to the small mouthparts of member species. marginatus: from…
Distribution
Type locality is 'Maduni Creek, Guyana', and this species is widely-distributed throughout Guyana and Suriname, plus the middle-to-lower Amazon basin east of t…
Habitat
Inhabits sluggish tributaries, small rivers and swampy areas, particularly in areas with dense growth of aquatic vegetation or submerged woody structures and l…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 45 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are necessary.
Maintenance
Should ideally be kept in a heavily-planted set-up, preferably with a dark substrate. The broken lines of sight that exist in such a display allow it to displa…
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. It's best kept with similarly-sized, peaceful characids …
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males are noticeably less stocky than females, and in one form from the rio Negro males possess a modified anal-fin with the third to sixth rays being th…
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…
Notes
This species is enduringly popular in the aquarium hobby and is one of a group of congeners, also including N. mortenthaleri (originally described as a subspec…
References
References
7 on this profile