Taxonomy
Steindachner, 1876
Family: Lebiasinidae (Pencilfishes),
subfamily: Pyrrhulininae
Order: Characiformes (characins)
Several forms of this species exist in nature, depending on geographic origin (See pictures above)
Synonyms
Cyprinodon amazona Eigenmann, 1894 ? (Could be an old synonym to
Nannostomus marginatus)
Poecilobrycon erythrurus Eigenmann, 1909
Poecilobrycon vittatus Ahl, 1934
Nannostomus erythrurus
Threestripe pencilfish
Threeline pencilfish
Threebanded pencilfish
Princess tetra
Distribution and habitat
Widely distributed throughout the western Amazon basin in parts of Guyana, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia.
It's found in many of the major tributaries, including (but not exclusive to) the Rio Essequibo, Rio Negro, Rio Branco, Rio Ucalayi, Rio Nanay and Rio Guaporé.
Water parameters
PH : 5 - 6,5
ppm : As soft as possible
My Experience
A very peaceful species that won't compete well with much larger tankmates.
Ideally keep it with other South American species, and it also makes an ideal dither species for Apistogramma and other dwarf cichlids, as it tends to inhabit the mid to upper parts of the tank, and will not predate on any fry.
It lives in groups in nature so it's best to have at least six. Rival males are territorial with one another, but no serious damage is done during their battles, provided the tank is sufficiently large and well-decorated.
The fish require medium sized to large tanks, acidic soft peat filtered water, and very frequent waterchanges, as the fish are said to be very sensitive to nitrate.
Tank bred fish will survive at a pH slightly higher than neutral, but it will show their best colouration in acidic water.
The fish usually (only) feed in the morning and the evening.