Three-Lined Pencilfish
Nannostomus trifasciatus
An elegant pencilfish with three bold horizontal stripes and red, white, and blue fin markings. Displays a different nighttime color pattern.
Tank Size
10 gal
minimum (15+ preferred)
Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH Range
5–7
water acidity
Max Size
1.5"
3.8 cm
Lifespan
3–5 years
typical in captivity
Swim Level
Top
preferred zone
Care Notes
Prefers soft, acidic water with tannins. Keep in groups. Best in mature, heavily planted tanks. More demanding than Beckford's Pencilfish.
Feeding
Micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and crushed flakes.
Compatible Tank Mates
Use Caution With
Incompatible With
Check Compatibility
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