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Threebanded pencilfish (Nannostomus trifasciatus) — Lebiasinidae

Threebanded pencilfish

Nannostomus trifasciatus
Family: Lebiasinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Threebanded pencilfish (Nannostomus trifasciatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Lebiasinidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America; quiet plant-rich streams and pools.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The threestripe pencilfish is a small pencilfish of the family Lebiasinidae from northern South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate, pencil-shaped body with three black lengthwise stripes, alternating with gold, and red spots near the fins. It lives in schools in calm, plant-rich streams and pools, often in blackwater. As a small predator it picks small zooplankton, worms, crustaceans and insects. It is popular in the aquarium hobby. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threebanded pencilfish?

The Threebanded pencilfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Pencil-shaped body with three black longitudinal stripes and red blotches; schooling aquarium fish.

Where does the Threebanded pencilfish live?

The Threebanded pencilfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern South America; quiet plant-rich streams and pools.

How big does the Threebanded pencilfish get?

The Threebanded pencilfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Threebanded pencilfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Threebanded pencilfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Threebanded pencilfish edible?

The Threebanded pencilfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Threebanded pencilfish (Nannostomus trifasciatus) — Lebiasinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Evan Hessels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Threebanded pencilfish (Nannostomus trifasciatus) — Lebiasinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Tsunamicarlos at en.wikipedia (Public domain)
Threebanded pencilfish (Nannostomus trifasciatus) — Lebiasinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) isjo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Threebanded pencilfish verified
Scientific name
Nannostomus trifasciatus
Family
Lebiasinidae
Other names
Threeline pencilfish; Three-lined pencilfish; Threestripe pencilfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Northern South America; quiet plant-rich streams and pools. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, worms, crustaceans and insects sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Pencil-shaped body with three black longitudinal stripes and red blotches; schooling aquarium fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Nannostomus

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Fin

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