Anduze's Pencilfish (Nannostomus anduzei) Breeding Guide

Breeding Nannostomus anduzei, the genus's smallest member: an egg-scattering nano pencilfish that spawns among fine plants or wool mops, with fry raised on infusoria.

Overview

Nannostomus anduzei is the smallest member of the genus, reaching only about 13-16 mm standard length, and inhabits shallow forest streams with white sand and leaf litter in the upper Orinoco basin of Venezuela (Seriously Fish). It is an egg-scattering pencilfish; Seriously Fish reports that captive breeding has been achieved, albeit rarely, with fry sometimes appearing spontaneously in densely planted, mature aquaria.

Sexing

According to Seriously Fish, males are slimmer and more brightly coloured, showing red pigmentation in the anal and caudal fins that females lack; Brazilian males additionally display extended anal fins.

Conditioning

Seriously Fish recommends conditioning adult groups together before introducing breeders to spawning containers. The maintenance range is pH 5.0-7.0, hardness 18-90 ppm and 22-28 degrees C.

Breeding Setup

Seriously Fish advises filling spawning containers with aged water and adding fine wool mops or fine-leaved plants such as Taxiphyllum. A single pair, or a group of one or two males with several females, can then be introduced to each container.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The species scatters eggs among the fine plants or mops with no parental care (Seriously Fish). No single environmental trigger is specified; spawning follows conditioning and introduction of the breeders to suitable aged water.

Egg & Fry Care

Seriously Fish notes the adults can be removed after 2-3 days, with the first fry visible a day or two later. Initial foods are Paramecium or a proprietary dry food of 5-50 micron grade, progressing to Artemia nauplii and microworms as the fry grow.

Common Challenges

Because spawning is reported only rarely (Seriously Fish), the difficulty lies in conditioning this tiny species, providing dense fine cover for the scattered eggs, and supplying the very small first foods required by minute fry.