Edit Nannostomus rubrocaudatus
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Name
Scientific name
Nannostomus rubrocaudatus
Described by
Authority Zarske, Year 2009
Family
Lebiasinidae
Common names
Purple Pencilfish
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The purple pencilfish, Nannostomus rubrocaudatus, is reportedly collected along the Marañón in Peru, between the Morona and Santiago rivers…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
30mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 24–28°C, pH 4–7
Hardness
1–5dGH
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
Peru, Amazon, Marañón
Writing
Etymology
Nannostomus: from the Latin nannus, meaning 'small', and Greek stoma, meaning 'mouth', in reference to the small mouthparts of member species. rubrocaudatus: f…
Distribution
The type series was obtained from a commercial shipment of wild fishes from Peru into Germany. The enterprise which imported them later released a statement in…
Habitat
Unconfirmed. Related congeners inhabit sluggish tributaries, small rivers and swampy areas, particularly in areas with dense growth of aquatic vegetation or su…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 90 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are necessary if you wish to keep a mixed-sex group since males can be particularly aggressive towards one…
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
Peaceful with other species but does not make an ideal community fish due to its small size and rather timid nature. Ideally it should be maintained alone or a…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males are noticeably less stocky and far more colourful than females, plus they possess a modified anal-fin with the third to sixth rays being thickened.
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
Prior to description this species was traded as Nannostomus sp. 'purple', N. cf. marginatus 'red pencil II', or N. sp. 'coral red II'. It can be told apart fro…
References
References
5 on this profile