Three Lined Pencilfish (School of 5)

The small Three Lined Pencilfish (or Pencil Fish) is about as gentle as a fish can come - amazing that these fish survive the rough habitats of the Amazon River basin. These fish are much more at home in small schools. Three line pencils are suitable for a nano aquarium and small to midsize community fish tanks and planted aquariums.

Quick Facts

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.