• Scientific name: Nannostomus eques
• Synonyms: Nannobrycon eques, Three-striped pencilfish
• Common name: Brown pencilfish
• Group: Characins
• Habitat: South America; Brasil, Guyana.
• Size: 6 cm
• Biotope: Found in small streams with heavy shore vegetation.
• Social behavior: A peaceful, schooling fish that can be combined with other, non-active fishes of lowerswimming levels.
• Diet: Live, insects, Daphnia, mosquito larvae, Artemia, Drosophila, bloodworms, flakes, freeze-dried
• Breeding: Quite easy
• Tank: Minimum 65 litres
• Population: 5-6 fish for 65 litres
• Decoration: Provide large, open swimming areas anda cover of floating plants. The tank should have dark gravel and be well-planted.  These fish prefer peat filtration.
• Temperature: 25-28 °C
• pH: 5,5-7
• Hardness: 2,8-8,4NK°
• Lifespan: 4-5 years

Description: A slender, elongated fish that has a pointed head.  The lower half of the caudal fin islarger than the upper part. Five rows of dark spots are located on the pale brown to light gray back.  Below these markings, a wide band extendsfrom the tip of the snout to the lower part of the caudal fin.  The upper lobe of the caudal fin is usually transparent,as are the other fins. On the anal fin, is a small black and red marking.

Males are slimmer and more colorful.

Use a small tank with a pH of 6.0, a hardness of 2 dH, and a warmer water temperatureof 86°F (30°C). After an active courtship, spawning takes place on the undersides of leaves. Theeggs are laid in groups of four and sink to the bottom. The parents immediately attempt to eat the eggs after they are laid,so use a pipette to suck the eggs out of the parents reach.  The young hatch in 24-30 hours and are free-swimmingabout 5 days later. Start feeding with rotifers, brine shrimp nauplii, and powder foods.