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How to look after
Nannostomus marginatus
Dwarf pencil fish
Eigenmann, 1909

Nannostomus marginatus - Dwarf pencil fish - The Dwarf pencil fish
The Dwarf pencil fish
more images here

(Other members of the genus Nannostomus)

ADULT SIZE: 4 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Moderately soft and acidic

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-27 C

FOOD: Feed Nannostomus marginatus small live-foods and fine grade dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Guyana

AQUARIUM CARE: A readily availiable community fish that does well in planted tanks. This species fits nicely into a Amazon biotope aquarium alongside tetras such as the neon or cardinal, and larger fish such as the discus or angel fish

BREEDING: This is a typical egg scatterer and as such is best spawned over marbles to avoid predation. In a well planted and understocked aquarium young may also survive. The fry are small and need infusoria as a first food.

Have you bred Nannostomus marginatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Nannostomus marginatus breeding reports

Similar species to Nannostomus marginatus

Other members of the genus Nannostomus

Other characin species

Other species from Guyana

Nannostomus marginatus
Dwarf pencil fish

The Dwarf pencil fish

The Dwarf pencil fish


Nannostomus marginatus
Dwarf pencil fish
breeding notes

BREEDING: This is a typical egg scatterer and as such is best spawned over marbles to avoid predation. In a well planted and understocked aquarium young may also survive. The fry are small and need infusoria as a first food.

Have you bred Nannostomus marginatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?


This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute - whatever your experience!

2 breeders have filled in breeding reports, a summary of the results are shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here.

To add details of your experiences of Nannostomus marginatus, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Would Nannostomus marginatus be a good addition to a community tank?
graph1
  1. Never
  2. Doubtful, only with VERY calm fish
  3. Only with species of similar size
  4. Yes, a good community fish

How would you describe the disposition of Nannostomus marginatus?
graph2
  1. Very timid
  2. Slightly timid
  3. Neutral
  4. Somewhat aggresive on occasions
  5. Very aggressive

In which water conditions do you keep these fish?
graph3
  1. Very soft and acidic
  2. Moderately soft and acidic
  3. Neutral
  4. Moderately hard and alkaline
  5. Very hard and alkaline

At what average temperature?
graph4
  1. 10-15°C
  2. 16-19°C
  3. 20-23°C
  4. 24-27°C
  5. 28°C+

How would you describe sex ratios when breeding Nannostomus marginatus? If you are unsure please leave this question unanswered.
graph6
  1. Almost all males
  2. Somewhat male heavy
  3. Roughly equal
  4. Somewhat female heavy
  5. Almost all females

In general, how difficult is Nannostomus marginatus to keep and breed?
graph7
  1. Very easy
  2. Easy
  3. Average
  4. Difficult
  5. Very difficult

How sucessful have you been at breeding Nannostomus marginatus?
graph8
  1. Very unsucessful
  2. Fairly unsucessful
  3. Average
  4. Fairly sucessful
  5. Very sucessful


Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences


Water conditions: Moderately soft and acidic Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Active, but not aggresive Community tank?: Yes, a good community fish
Spawning Method: Breeding problems: none
Sex ratio: Breeding difficulty:
Sucess: Years Experience: 1
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 9th February 2013Breeding date: 2013
Breeder: Location:

Water conditions: Very soft and acidic Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Active, but not aggresive Community tank?: Yes, a good community fish
Spawning Method: Peat (or similar) spawning substrateBreeding problems: none
Sex ratio: Roughly equalBreeding difficulty: Very easy
Sucess: Fairly sucessfulYears Experience: 3
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 21st July 2008Breeding date: 2008
Breeder: Location:

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