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Freshwater fishThree Lined Pencilfish
Three Lined Pencilfish
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The three lined pencil fish, or trilineatus pencil, has three horizontal lines on a copper and red body. These are small schooling fish from small rivers of the Amazon and only grow to an inch. Very gentle fish, they are also hardy and will eat flake food. However, these are wild Amazon fish and will not tolerate pH higher than about 7.6.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Nannostomus trifasciatus |
| Origin | Amazon basin, South America |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Adult Size | Up to 2" |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Diet | Omnivore (tiny foods) |
| Water Temperature | 75–82°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Group Size | Does best in a group |
| Shipping Size | Approx. ¾" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Give them a planted tank with floating plants, gentle filtration and a lid, since they can jump. Soft, slightly acidic water brings out their best color.
Feeding: Feed crushed flake or micro pellets once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. They also enjoy frozen brine shrimp.
Tankmates: Pencilfish are shy and peaceful, so keep them with other small, gentle fish such as small tetras, rasboras, pygmy corydoras and shrimp.
Good to know: Three-lined pencilfish have bright red spots on their fins that stand out against their black and gold stripes.
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