Pencil fish species

The pencil fish is a small ornamental fish that originates from the middle and lower reaches of the Amazon River in South America. Its body is straight, like a pencil lying horizontally, hence the name pencil fish. This encyclopedia mainly introduces pencil fish from several aspects such as pencil fish species, pencil fish reproduction, common diseases of pencil fish, pictures of pencil fish, etc.

Types of Pencil Fish

First, Striped Pencil Fish

Total length 18 cm, long body, short head, protruding mouth , the front part of the body is thicker and rounder, the back part is slightly flattened laterally, the dorsal edge is shallow arc, the abdomen is round, brightly colored, with 3 longitudinal stripes, the stripes are arranged parallel to each other, the base of each fin is red, and the tail fin is vermilion. Mainly distributed in the Amazon River Basin of America, Guyana. The water quality is neutral or slightly acidic, and the suitable water temperature is 22-27°C. Omnivorous, it especially likes to eat moss and aquatic plants, and prefers live food.

Second, red-finned pencil fish

Also known as gold and silver band fish, three-banded fish, and commonly known as three-line pencil fish. The body is spindle-shaped, the tail is forked, the body is 4-6 cm long, and there are three black stripes from head to tail. Its anal fin, pelvic fin, dorsal fin and tail fin all have red spots. Native to Guyana and the Amazon River Basin of South America. It has a lively temperament and can be mixed with other small fish. It is suitable to grow in weakly acidic soft water at 22-28°C. It likes to move in groups and feed mainly on live food.

Third, the sharp-billed pencil fish

Belongs to the Cyprinidae family. It is shaped like an upright pencil and is about 5 cm long. It often moves upright on the surface of the water, which affects the water quality. Sensitive to change. Native to Brazil and Guyana. Suitable for growth in an environment with a water temperature of 26°C.

Fourth, the Flame Pencil Fish

It is a rare and precious fish species. It is native to Peru in the Amazon River Basin. It belongs to the family Cyprinidae. The white spots on the dorsal fin are male. For fish, the body color of male fish is relatively red, and the body color will reach a "blood red" state during sexual intercourse. The fish without white spots on the dorsal fin are female fish, and the body color of female fish is lighter. The flame pencil fish has a mild temperament and is suitable for growing in an environment with a water temperature of 24-28°C.

Fifth, Big Pencil Fish

Commonly known as Doman Fish, Fish Tiger, Big Pencil, Red Line Snakehead, etc., it belongs to the Snakehead species and is native to Southeast Asia, including India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and other countries. There is a wide black longitudinal band on the side of the body as an adult, and two black longitudinal bands with an orange center on the side of the body as a juvenile. The giant pencil fish has a ferocious temperament and strong predatory nature. It cannot be mixed with other fish species and is suitable for growth in an environment with a water temperature of 24-28°C.

Reproduction of pencil fish

When pencil fish enters the breeding period, the anal fin of the male fish will turn red, the red spots on the tail fin will be more vivid, and the abdomen of the female fish will be enlarged. At this time, put the selected fish into the prepared tank. The optimal temperature for breeding is 26-28°C. During this period, the water temperature should be kept from drastic fluctuations, the oxygen content should be high, and the water body should be wide enough, preferably in a fish tank. Put some aquatic plants so that fish eggs can adhere to them.

Pencil fish lay about 100-200 eggs at a time, and the larvae can hatch after 1-2 days. Pay attention to preparing a breeding tank to raise the larvae individually.

Common diseases of pencil fish

First, white spot disease: White spot disease is an ectoparasitic ciliate. The symptom of white spot disease is that there will be white dot-like cysts on the body surface of pencil fish, which are slightly larger than pepper and bright white in color. During treatment, you can use salt, methyl blue, malachite green, or directly purchase medicine to treat white spot disease for effective treatment. However, if proper treatment is not done in the early stage, the fish will easily weaken and die.

Second, pepper disease: also known as velvet and velvet disease. After a fish is infected with this disease, white or brown dots smaller than those caused by white spot disease will appear on the body surface in dense clusters. The treatment method is to put the fish in 5% salt water, and it will cure in about 2-3 days. Changing the water frequently during feeding and keeping the water clean can prevent this disease.

Third, gill rot and fin rot: Mainly caused by bacterial infection of gills and fins, resulting in tissue necrosis and tatters. Bacterial drugs can be used for treatment, and the amount of pumping should be increased at the same time. The treatment success rate for gill rot and fin rot is relatively high.