Dwarf Pencilfish
Nannostomus marginatus
Family: Characidae • Origin: Various
Dwarf Pencilfish (Nannostomus marginatus) is a peaceful tetra reaching 1.4 inches. Keep in groups of 8+. Minimum tank size: 5 gallons.
Min Tank
5 gal
Max Size
1.4"
Temperature
75-82°F
pH
5-7
Lifespan
2 years
School Size
8+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-15 dGH
peacefulintermediateomnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Max size: 1.4 inches
- • Temperature: 75-82°F
- • pH: 5-7
- • Schooling — keep 8+ together
- • peaceful temperament — safe with community fish
Feeding: Standard omnivore diet. Accepts foods appropriate for Characidae species.
Compatibility Notes: Typical peaceful Characidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 5 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 8 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 8+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- pH Range
- 5–7
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical peaceful Characidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 2 years
Ideal For
5 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Green Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon simulans
75-82°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 10+1"
Emperor Tetra
Nematobrycon palmeri
73-81°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Blue Emperor Tetra
Inpaichthys kerri
73-81°FpH 6-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"