{"product_id":"purple-pencilfish-nannostomus-rubrocaudatus","title":"Purple Pencilfish – Nannostomus rubrocaudatus","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Purple Pencilfish (Nannostomus rubrocaudatus) is a stunning nano freshwater fish known for its purple-red body, horizontal stripe, vivid red tail, and peaceful schooling behavior. This colorful pencilfish is a favorite for planted aquariums, nano tanks, and natural aquascapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to Peru, Purple Pencilfish do best in stable, well-maintained aquariums with clean water, live plants, and calm tankmates. Their rich coloration stands out beautifully against green plants, driftwood, leaf litter, darker backgrounds, and blackwater-style setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColorful purple-red body with vivid red tail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful nano schooling fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreat for planted aquariums and aquascapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest kept in groups of 8 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal for soft-water and blackwater-style setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeautiful contrast against live plants and dark substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nannostomus rubrocaudatus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple Pencilfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peru\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful schooling fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 1.5–2 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 gallons or larger recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 74–80°F\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.5–7.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft water preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 3–5 years with proper care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Choose Purple Pencilfish?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple Pencilfish are prized for their vibrant coloration, elegant body shape, and peaceful activity. Their purple-red tones and red tail make them stand out from many common schooling fish while still keeping a calm, natural appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are an excellent choice for aquarists who enjoy planted aquariums, nano fish, and refined aquascapes. A properly sized group helps reduce stress and brings out their best color, confidence, and natural behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal Tank Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple Pencilfish do best in a mature, stable aquarium with live plants, driftwood, floating plants, and gentle filtration. They prefer clean, soft, slightly acidic water, but stability is more important than chasing exact numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark substrate, botanicals, leaf litter, and shaded areas can help create a comfortable natural environment while enhancing their red and purple coloration. Avoid strong flow or aggressive tankmates that may stress or outcompete them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatible Tankmates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall peaceful tetras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall rasboras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther peaceful pencilfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePygmy Corydoras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful nano fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDwarf shrimp with proper cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall peaceful snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTankmates to Avoid\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge or aggressive fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFast, boisterous species that outcompete them for food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFin-nipping fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePredatory fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFish that require hard, alkaline water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiet \u0026amp; Feeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple Pencilfish have small mouths and should be offered small, appropriately sized foods. Feed quality micro pellets, fine flakes, crushed flakes, frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and small live foods when available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA varied diet helps support healthy color, activity, and overall condition. Feed small portions that the group can consume quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep in groups of 8 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse a mature, stable aquarium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide live plants, floating plants, and gentle cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain soft, clean, stable water when possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeed small foods suited for nano fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid aggressive or overly active tankmates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Purple Pencilfish good for planted aquariums?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Purple Pencilfish are excellent for planted aquariums and aquascapes, where their purple-red coloration stands out against green plants and dark backgrounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many Purple Pencilfish should I keep together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKeep them in groups of at least 8 or more for best behavior, confidence, and reduced stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo Purple Pencilfish require soft water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey prefer soft, slightly acidic water, but they can adapt to stable neutral conditions when properly acclimated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan Purple Pencilfish be kept alone?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. They are social schooling fish and should be kept in groups for long-term health and natural behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big do Purple Pencilfish get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey typically reach approximately 1.5–2 inches as adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do Purple Pencilfish eat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey eat micro pellets, fine flakes, frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and other small foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these fish available for shipping?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Live fish are available for in-store purchase or local pickup only at Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAvailable at Tropical Treasures Wyo\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple Pencilfish are colorful peaceful nano fish for planted aquariums, blackwater-style setups, and calm freshwater community tanks. Visit Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to shop pencilfish, nano fish, freshwater fish, shrimp, snails, live aquarium plants, fish food, filtration supplies, and aquarium care products. Live livestock is available for in-store purchase or local pickup only.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropical Treasures Wyo LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52062414307541,"sku":null,"price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/4545\/8133\/files\/download_73.jpg?v=1771517191","url":"https:\/\/tropicaltreasureswyo.com\/products\/purple-pencilfish-nannostomus-rubrocaudatus","provider":"Tropical Treasures Wyo LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}