The Red Coral Pencilfish, scientifically known as Nannostomus mortenthaleri, is a popular and sought-after species among freshwater fish enthusiasts. Here's everything you need to know about caring for and keeping Red Coral Pencilfish in your aquarium:

Appearance:

• Striking Coloration: The Red Coral Pencilfish features a vibrant red body color that catches the eye and adds a brilliant splash of color to your tank. The fins may display contrasting hues of black or yellow, further enhancing their visual appeal.
• Slender Body Shape: As the name suggests, this species has a slender and elongated body, resembling a pencil. This streamlined shape allows them to navigate easily through plants and open spaces.

Water Conditions:

• Temperature: Maintain the water temperature between 24°C and 28°C (75°F-82°F) to provide optimal conditions for the Red Coral Pencilfish.
• pH Level: Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 to replicate their natural habitat.
• Water Hardness: These pencilfish prefer soft to moderately hard water, with a dH range of 5 to 12.
• Filtration: Ensure efficient filtration and gentle water flow to maintain excellent water quality for the fish.

Tank Setup:

• Tank Size: Provide a spacious aquarium with a capacity of at least 20 gallons to accommodate a small school of Red Coral Pencilfish comfortably.
• Aquascape: Incorporate live plants, such as floating plants or fine-leaved plants like Java Moss or Cabomba, to mimic their natural environment and provide hiding places.
• Open Swimming Space: Maintain open swimming areas in the tank by leaving enough room for the fish to move around freely.
• Dim Lighting: Red Coral Pencilfish prefer subdued lighting conditions, which can be achieved by using floating plants or diffusing the light source.

Tank Mates:

• Peaceful Community Fish: The Red Coral Pencilfish is peaceful and can be kept with other peaceful fish species that share similar water parameter requirements.
• Avoid Aggressive or Fin-Nipping Fish: Avoid pairing them with aggressive or fin-nipping species that may harass or damage their delicate fins.

Feeding Habit:

• Omnivorous Diet: Red Coral Pencilfish are omnivores and have a diverse diet.
• Small Live and Frozen Foods: Offer them small live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, or microworms to meet their protein needs.
• High-Quality Flake or Pellet Food: Supplement their diet with high-quality flake or pellet food formulated for small tropical fish.
• Vegetable Matter: Include vegetable matter in their diet by offering blanched spinach or finely chopped blanched zucchini.

Care:

• Water Parameters: Regularly monitor and maintain stable water parameters suitable for the Red Coral Pencilfish to ensure their well-being.
• Partial Water Changes: Perform regular partial water changes of around 25% every 1-2 weeks to maintain water quality and stability.
• Tank Maintenance: Clean the tank regularly, removing any uneaten food, debris, or excess algae to maintain water quality.
• Monitoring Health: Observe the Red Coral Pencilfish for any signs of disease, stress, or abnormal behavior.

The Red Coral Pencilfish adds a burst of vibrant color and liveliness to your aquarium, making it a focal point of visual interest. Their peaceful demeanor and active swimming behavior make them a delight to watch and a great choice for aquarists seeking a stunning and low-maintenance fish species.