Nannostomus ID

[Kolykaf]

Two months ago I purchased a handful of pencilfish. They were very small and didn’t look like any type that I commonly see. I was told that they were trifasciatus. They’ve since grown a bit, but still don’t really look like trifasciatus to me. They lack any of the red that seem to be a hallmark of all the online photos of the species. I guess that there could be color variations in different locales. I was wondering if any Nannostomus aficionados could give me a definitive ID.

 

[Byron]

You are correct that they are definitely not N. trifasciatus. I think they are N. digrammus.

 

[Kolykaf]

You are correct that they are definitely not N. trifasciatus. I think they are N. digrammus.

I was torn between digrammus and marilynae. Thanks! Although not particularly colorful, they are quite beautiful fish.

 

[Byron]

I was torn between digrammus and marilynae. Thanks! Although not particularly colorful, they are quite beautiful fish.

Most of the species in Nannostomus are quite special in one way or another. I acquired four of N. digrammus some years ago, they were mixed in a shipment of wild caught rummynose, and I grabbed them. The employee in the store suggested they were Siamese Algae Eaters. I let that pass.

 

[seangee]

Ah fish stores hey. My lovely n.marginatus were sold to me as trifasciatus...

 

[emeraldking]

Yes, Nannostomus digrammus for sure... No doubts...
It does happen quite frequently that fish are sold as being another type.