Elegant Pencilfish
Nannostomus limatus
Uncommon pencilfish; the straw-yellow body is crossed by a single marked central black stripe and pinkish fins. 'Limatus' literally means refined, elegant.
Température de l’eau
24 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
5.5 - 7
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Surface et milieu
Taille adulte
3,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 60 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
25 - 210 ppm
Conductivité
39 - 328 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Amazon River Basin (Santarém Region, Brazil). Frequents flood lakes, oxbow lakes and debris-laden "Igarapés" in forested areas in dim light.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Elegant Pencilfish (Nannostomus limatus). Intermediate morphology between the large N. beckfordi and the tiny N. marginatus. Very slender, has a classic horizontal posture.
Social Behavior: Stationary gregarious. Less inclined to endless duels than the beckfordi. Hovers quietly among the plants waiting for the current to bring small organisms.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Cream-bronze base color with a thick dark line (sometimes dotted or broken) and an evident red and black spot on the anal fins (especially in males). It differs in the elegance of the pattern compared to beckfordi. Females are pale.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: 60 cm (24 inches) tank richly planted (Limnophila, Cabomba). It is essential to insert visual barriers of woods and plants to limit the stress induced by the open visual field.
Diet and Feeding: Acute micropredator. Very timid at mealtime, refuses foods that fall quickly (hard granules) preferring floating live foods (midges) or suspended brine shrimp nauplii.
Water Quality: Soft and acidic water. Does not appreciate sudden changes but tolerates weak currents if the aquarium is well shielded by woods and plants.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent inhabitant for small Amazonian "Blackwater" tanks, to be combined with peaceful fish (Corydoras, small Loricariids, Marbled Hatchetfish / Carnegiella strigata).
Aquarium Breeding: Very rarely intentionally bred. They release very few eggs among mosses (Vesicularia dubyana) and ruthlessly eat their own brood immediately after the act.
Risks and Diseases: Commercial extinction: Given the difficulty in distinguishing it (often sold as "Pencilfish sp. or female N. beckfordi") the aquarist risks finding unpaired specimens unable to form hierarchies, which leads them to death from solitary stress.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Amazon River Basin (Santarém Region, Brazil). Frequents flood lakes, oxbow lakes and debris-laden "Igarapés" in forested areas in dim light.
Origine
Amazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- Their temperament is extremely peaceful, timid, and somewhat shy in sparse tanks. They require heavily planted environments to feel safe enough to explore openly. Once settled, they are an elegant and tranquil addition to any soft-water setup.
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- They are micro-predators that rely on small invertebrates in their natural habitat. In captivity, they require suitably small foods like micro-pellets and crushed flakes. A diverse diet ensures robust health and brings out their elegant patterns.
- Espérance de vie
- 3-5 years
- Taille adulte
- 3.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- School
- Keeping them in a group of at least six with a balanced sex ratio is recommended. Males will establish a pecking order through harmless visual displays. A properly sized school ensures they feel secure and exhibit natural social dynamics.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- They do best when fed small, appropriately sized portions twice a day. They are not aggressive eaters, so care must be taken to ensure they receive enough food. Sinking micro-granules can help deliver food directly to their hovering spots.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- The Elegant Pencilfish produces a minimal bioload due to its small size and efficient metabolism. They are excellent candidates for small, heavily planted setups where water quality is easily maintained. Gentle biological filtration easily processes their small amount of waste.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- They originate from sluggish rivers and strongly prefer gentle to moderate water flow. High-velocity currents will severely stress them and prevent natural behaviors. A well-baffled filter return or sponge filter provides the ideal aquatic environment.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Like all pencilfish, they are prone to jumping when startled or frightened. A comprehensive, tight-fitting aquarium lid is strongly advised. Providing floating plants helps diffuse overhead lighting and makes them less likely to jump.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding the Elegant Pencilfish requires specialized setups with soft, acidic water and low lighting. They scatter adhesive eggs among dense aquatic mosses or spawning mops. Prompt removal of the adults is necessary to prevent them from eating their own eggs.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Semi-aggressive
- They are remarkably peaceful and fit perfectly into calm, planted community tanks. Excellent tank mates include small tetras, dwarf shrimp, and peaceful bottom-dwelling corydoras. They should never be mixed with large, active, or aggressive fish.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Top/Middle
- They are most active in the middle and upper levels of the aquarium. They can frequently be seen hovering at slight angles near tall plant stems. They rarely spend time near the bottom unless following a sinking piece of food.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,2 ± 0,4 se
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00646, b = 3.13
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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