Remarks: Purple Pencilfish (Nannostomus rubrocaudatus) are a very peaceful tetra, but males can act aggressively towards each other. They prefer to be kept in large schools, and they appreciate lots of cover in the form of long, grassy plants and floating plants. Males are more colorful than females, exhibiting tan bodies with three horizontal black stripes and purple blotching covering the stripes. Females have some purple markings but it does not completely cover their body like it does the males. They are best kept in groups of 2 females for every male. 

Pencilfish are great tankmates for breeding pairs of dwarf cichlids. Their mouths are too small to eat even the youngest cichlid fry (Nannus - small, stoma - mouth).

Scientific Name: Nannostomus rubrocaudatus

Common Name: Purple Pencilfish

Max Size: 2"

pH: 5.0-8.0

Hardness: Soft

Temperature: 70-82°

Aggressiveness: Peaceful

Region of Origin: South America

Captive Bred or Wild: Wild

Diet: Small flake or pellet, small frozen or live foods

Compatibility: Similarly sized schooling fish, dwarf cichlids, Corydoras, livebearers, rainbowfish, Loricariids

Tank Mate Options:

• Skunk Cory 
• Red Arc Pencilfish
• Apistogramma cacatuoides
  

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