Which LFS sells dwarf pencil fish?

[seudzar]

I am looking for some dwarf pencil fish. Anyone knows where I can find them? Thanks in advance..!

[lucasjiang]

Any idea what is the scientific name for the dwarf pencilfish? I haven't heard of this common name before, most pencilfish grow to about the same size I think.

[seudzar]

Its called Nannostomus marginatus. Not really much information on it. Hahaha

[seudzar]

Strange thing that one website says it is only 2.5cm biggest where some say it can grow up to 5cm. Who to believe?

[lucasjiang]

Hmmm, that's a tough one to find, most LFSs stock its more colourful cousins, the coral red and coral purple pencilfish, nannostomus mortenthaleri and nannostomus rubrocaudatus, both of which were originally thought to be colour forms of nannostomus marginatus. Perhaps you can try the coral red and coral purple?

[seudzar]

Thanks Lucas, will consider. Just that I find the two are a bit too big for my tank. Hahaha

[David]

@seudzar...are you looking for pencil fish to consume hair algae? If you are, then you need to find the one-lined pencil fish.



I last saw them at JCX about 1 month ago?

[seudzar]

Not really for algae eating... Didn't know they eat algae. I thought they feed on live feeds..

[David]

To what I know, only the one-lined pencil consumes algae.

[Urban Aquaria]

Was reading up about Nannostomus Marginatus too... interesting fishes.



Source: http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species...us-marginatus/

Apparently they grow to max 2.0-2.5cm, so only around the size of CPDs or RCS shrimps, looks quite nice.

So far i've only seen the more common pencil fish at LFS which are larger.

[Max Lim]

I saw pencil fish in Yishun Blk 618 last week, as they labelled on the tank.. Let me confirm again tomorrow..

[seudzar]

Thanks Max..!!

Apparently the Dwarf Pencil fish can do well in ph 7.5 water which is like my sulawesi shrimp tank condition.

Yesterday I got 4 one-line pencil fish from C328. Internet mention that the suitable pH was from 6.5 to 7. I acclimatize one piece slowly to try on my sulawesi tank while the remaining 3 i put into my cory tank. The poor bugger turns pale, it was swimming non-stop when it enters the tank and after 10 mins, i notice blood strips form around its gills area and immediately i took it out of the tank and put it into my cory tank. Its colour comes back and was swimming peaceful after a short while.... oh boy... time to look for dwarf pencil fish again.. hahaha...

btw, although the size of the one-line pencil fish is around 4 cm big, its mouth is so small. I am not sure if my eyes are fooling me but its mouth is even smaller than a tetra fish.

[Urban Aquaria]

Yeah, pencil fish have very tiny mouths, i guess that's one of the reasons why some people find them suitable to be kept with shrimps.

I saw the one-line pencil fishes at C328 too, has anyone had experience seeing them eat algae? What type of algae and how effectively?

I might actually be keen on them too, if they can take on a dual-role as part of an algae management team.

[David]

@UA....I used to have One-Lined Pencil Fish....they do consume hair algae...the type that loves to grow on leaf edge....Just that this pencil is not the nicest looking pencil....

[seudzar]

David, go GC buy the coral red or coral purple pencil fish. Hahaha.

[Urban Aquaria]

@UA....I used to have One-Lined Pencil Fish....they do consume hair algae...the type that loves to grow on leaf edge....Just that this pencil is not the nicest looking pencil....

Wow! They eat hair algae?

Now i'm really keen to add a few to my tanks too... their size is still relatively okay for 2ft tanks, and as a bonus they can help in tank maintenance.

Thanks for the tip!

[seudzar]

Manage to get 2 golden pencilfish from NKS. Woah... Their mouth is really very small. Almost or even smaller than rasboras.. Lol

[Max Lim]

I saw Sea View selling Pencil Fish $1 each. They label as "Red Pencil fish" in Chinese. But I don't see it is red maybe still at baby size.. ?

[seudzar]

Never heard of red pencil fish.. Must see

[Max Lim]

I saw this pencil fish in Yishun Blk618 (Y618 ).. Labelled as Rocket Pencil Fish.. this one bigger near to 4cm long..