Among the pencil fishes, two species are very conspicuous due to their oblique swimming style: Nannostomus eques and N. unifasciatus. The two species often appear intermixed in the wild. As a result they are often found as bycatch in importations of the other species.
These „hockeysticks“ are very nice fishes. Like all other pecilfishes they should be kept only in community of comparatively gentle species. Due to the very small mouth of Nannostomus the keepers has to pay some atttention on the feeding. In fact, both Nannostomus won´t refuse any type of usual fishfood, but the particles have to be rather small. Successful breeders of these fishes favour freshly hatched Artemia nauplii for these species – for the adults! So, if possible, one should offer that type of food at least twice a week.
Males and females can be distinguished in all species of pencilfish best by the anal fin. That fin has a different shape in malles of all species and often also a different colour.
For our customers: the fish have code 271803 (N. eques) and 274206 (N. unifasciatus) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
