Hockeystick pencilfish

Nannostomus eques

A pointed snout, brown spotted rows and a head-up swimming posture

A pale stripe contrasts with brown markings and a dark lower tail lobe. Night-time markings can change.

Small, timid fish may lose food to forceful companions. Small size does not justify a tiny tank.

Appearance and identification

Compare the spotted rows with the one-lined pencilfish's main dark stripe. Both swim obliquely. The adipose fin varies in eques.

Keep ten or more, with shelter, and watch weaker individuals.

A 60 × 30 cm base.

Offer fine dry foods and small frozen or live foods; check timid individuals feed.

Choose similarly sized, calm companions individually.

Use planted and floating shelter, gentle flow and swimming space.

Sources