Scientific Name
Nannostomus bifasciatus

Common Name
Whiteside pencilfish

Biology
Gregarious. Forms schools of about a dozen individuals. Frequently occurs upstream in counter current zones. Is an omnivore with a tendency to feed on insects. Crepuscular. Appreciated by aquarist notably for its tendency to live in groups and for it habit of swimming with the body oriented upwards. Reproduces in captivity. The spawned eggs, which are fixed to vegetal substrate, do not receive parental care.

Classification

Classified By

Hoedeman, 1954

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Characins (Characiformes)

Family

Pencilfishes (Lebiasinidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Coastal rivers of Suriname and French Guiana.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

23 °C

Water Temperature To

27 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 5.5 - 7.0; dH range: ? - 4 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.2 s.e. 0.40 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

3.4 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (10 of 100)

Resilience

Unknown

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated