Purple Pencilfish (Nannostomus rubrocaudatus)

[Drayden Farci]

I have a 20 Long (30" x 12" x 12") that will be housing a pair of Apistogramma. For those with experience with N. rubrocaudatus, how many shall I plan on adding? They will be the only other fish with the Apistogramma.

 

[Mike Wise]

They can be rather 'rowdy' among themselves compared to other pencils, so I would suggest 3 or 4 - and only 1 male. They associate with each other but are not a true schooling fish.

 

[Drayden Farci]

They can be rather 'rowdy' among themselves compared to other pencils, so I would suggest 3 or 4 - and only 1 male. They associate with each other but are not a true schooling fish.

Cheers, Mike. Fair to have some additional characins in that case?

 

[Mike Wise]

Why? This is a breeding tank, not a community tank. Fish other than the breeders are only dither or target fish. Too many will only distract the apistos.