Nannostomus espei
Barred Pencilfish
Barred Pencilfish
Low stock: 4 left
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Remarks: The barred pencilfish is a unique and uncommon species of pencilfish that is rarely seen within the hobby. They are a very small species with adults rarely exceeding 1 inch in length and have a pattern consisting of vertical black bars on a body that can be anywhere from silver, to tan, to even gold. A pattern like this is what is usually shown on other species of pencilfish at night as it helps with camouflage, but with the barred pencilfish the pattern is always present.
The contrast of black bars on a golden body has made this a rather desirable species despite the difficulty in importing them. This difficulty is mainly due in part to them being from Guyana which is not very consistent with imports. Add on to the fact that the importation process can be rather hard on these tiny fish and it can be clearly seen why the barred pencilfish is not often available to hobbyists. The current group of fish we offer are specifically from the Rio Mazuruni.
The habitats that the barred pencilfish calls home consist of blackwater areas that are nearly devoid of current, heavily stained with tannins, very soft in regards to water hardness, contain lots of botanicals such as fallen leaves, are very warm, and have a very low pH that can be as little as 4.0. These conditions are ideal not only for the barred pencilfish, but also the tiny crustaceans and insects that make up a majority of these micropredators' diets. These conditions and protein-based diet should be replicated within the aquarium to allow the barred pencilfish to thrive. Like all pencilfish, they should not be kept in groups smaller than 6-8 to help ensure they feel safe. As they are a very skittish species, they will appreciate having plenty of cover in the form of live plants. Being surface swimmers, to prevent this species from jumping out of the tank when startled, a well-fitting lid should also be utilized.
Tankmates for the barred pencilfish should be chosen with care as they are very small and skittish with little to no defense against bullying or predation. Overly aggressive or boisterous species or those large enough to swallow the pencilfish should be avoided. Other small, more docile species that benefit from the same parameters required by the barred pencilfish such as tetras and rasboras can be a great choice. Many house pencilfish with Apistogramma species. The apistos will usually stick to the bottom of the tank while the pencilfish hover at the top so conflict should be minimal if present at all especially since as their genus name of Nannostomus indicates, the pencilfish has a mouth too small to eat even the smallest apisto fry. The presence of the pencilfish actually can help encourage spawning behavior in the apistos as they indicate the area is safe and free of predators. Whether you are seeking to just keep a fascinating species of pencilfish or are looking for a dither fish for dwarf cichlids, the barred pencilfish is an excellent choice sure to bring something truly unique to your aquarium.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: Guyana
- Breeding: Wild-caught in Guyana
- Max adult size: 0.5-1"
- Diet: Carnivore
- Social behavior: Peaceful
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 75°F - 82°F
- pH range: 4.0 - 6.5
- GH range: 15 ppm - 100 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee