Barred Pencilfish

Nannostomus espei

Barred Pencilfish is a peaceful middle-to-top swimmer.

PeacefulMiddle to top swimmerBeginner – Intermediate

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Need help with Barred Pencilfish?

Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.

Quick facts

Adult size: ≤ 1.2" (≤ 3 cm)
Aquarium size: 14 US gal (54 L) or larger / ≥ 23.6" (≥ 60 cm) minimum length
Care level: Beginner – Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Swimming zone: Middle to top swimmer
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 4–6.5
GH: 1–5 dGH
Diet: Omnivore
Lifespan: up to 5 years

Care requirements

Care level: Beginner – Intermediate.

Lifespan: up to 5 years.

Aquarium size and space needs

Minimum aquarium size: 14 US gal (54 L) or larger / ≥ 23.6" (≥ 60 cm) minimum length. Plan the layout and stocking within that limit.

Water parameters

Suitable water: temperature 22–28 °C, pH 4–6.5, GH 1–5 dGH.

Temperament and compatibility

Barred Pencilfish is peaceful and suits calm community fish.

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses the middle to upper part of the aquarium, so leave enough open swimming space for movement and feeding.

Feeding

As an omnivore, Barred Pencilfish should receive a varied diet rather than one repeated food type.

Feed very small live/frozen foods and fine sinking/suspended particles; check each fish receives food.

Before adding this fish

Plan for an aquarium of 14 US gal (54 L) or larger / ≥ 23.6" (≥ 60 cm) minimum length.
Avoid aggressive or highly competitive fish.
Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.

Natural habitat and origin

Origin: Guyana.

Important notes

A shoaling pencilfish, not a synchronized schooling tetra.
Maintain a group ideally ten or more and a mature shaded aquarium; avoid energetic feeders.

Similar fish profiles

Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.

Adonis Tetra Lepidarchus adonis Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Intermediate ≤ 3 cm (≤ 1.2") 22–26°C (72–79°F) Armoured Stickleback Indostomus paradoxus Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 3 cm (≤ 1.2") 22–27°C (72–81°F) African Banded Barb Barbus fasciolatus Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 6 cm (≤ 2.4") 20–26°C (68–79°F) African Butterfly Cichlid Anomalochromis thomasi Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 8 cm (≤ 3.1") 23–27°C (73–81°F) African Red Eyed Tetra Arnoldichthys spilopterus Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 10 cm (≤ 3.9") 24–27°C (75–81°F) Batman Betta Betta persephone Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate ≤ 3.5 cm (≤ 1.4") 22–28°C (72–82°F)

FAQ

How large does Barred Pencilfish get?

Barred Pencilfish reaches ≤ 1.2" (≤ 3 cm).

What aquarium size does Barred Pencilfish need?

Use an aquarium of at least 14 US gal (54 L) or larger / ≥ 23.6" (≥ 60 cm) minimum length.

Is Barred Pencilfish peaceful?

Yes. Barred Pencilfish is recorded as peaceful and is best planned with calm community fish that do not harass it or dominate the feeding area.

What temperature is suitable for Barred Pencilfish?

Keep it between 22 to 28 °C.