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first

The first installment of the new series will focus on red pencil fish (hereinafter referred to as pencils). Just as this project was getting underway, the ornamental fish world was abuzz with big news. The story is that a bright red pencil discovered in Peru, South America, is coming to Japan. Their beautiful appearance was already well known on the internet, and I think there were many aquarists who wanted to own one. Speaking of red pencils, the Ark Red Pencil is famous for its beauty and popularity. So, this time, in conjunction with the first appearance of the new pencil in Japan, we would like to introduce the charm and breeding of red pencils, including the arc red pencil and the closely related blood red pencil.

Memories on the Amazon River

Before we get into the main story, I would like to share some memories of the pencil I met in the Amazon River. The first time I visited the Amazon River was 26 years ago in 1996. I visited Manaus, a prosperous city located at the confluence of the Negro River, a large tributary that flows north of the mighty Amazon, and stopped by a floating shop while exploring the surrounding waters by boat. Water transportation is well developed in the Amazon River basin, and gas stations, restaurants, and shops floating on the river surface can often be seen.

Tropical fish can sometimes be seen around these floating shops, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you'll see a pencil fish approach you. It appears curious, approaching and stopping repeatedly as it wanders around. Eventually he got tired of it and disappeared somewhere.

I think this pencil was a Beckfoldi or one-line pencil, but what was surprising was that it was acting alone in a large river. Maybe he had friends nearby. When we actually raise pencils, we find that many of them claim territory, and many of them may be solitary in the field. In addition, all species are very curious and you can see that they are quite intelligent fish. It was a scene in the Amazon River that I still remember when I look at the pencil.

What is a pencil fish?

Some beginners may not be familiar with the term pencilfish. So let's introduce Pencil's profile.

Pencil is a member of the characin family that is distributed in South America. In a broad sense, it is closely related to characinids such as neon tetras and piranhas, and taxonomically it belongs to the order Characiformes, the family Lebiasinidae, the subfamily Pyrrhulininae, and the genus Nanostomus (Nannostomus) fish.

Pencil fish has long been associated with Nanostomus Eques (Nannostomus eques), but its English name is Brown Pencilfish. Nanostomus unifaskiatus (called this eques or one-line pencil)Nannostomus unifasciatus) is characterized by its long, slender body and swims diagonally, and it is thought that it was given its common name, ``pencil'', because of this behavior. In addition, Equs, One Line Pencil, etc. are of the Nanobricon genus (Nannobrycon) There is also a theory that it is a separate genus.

But it is. The red pencils introduced this time do not have elongated bodies and do not swim diagonally. The reason why it is called a pencil is because it is closely related to the diagonal swimming EQS and one-line pencils, so it is customarily given the name "pencil."

Currently, nearly 20 species of pencils are known, ranging from extremely small species with a total length of about 2 cm to those with a total length of about 7 cm. Many species are known to have the name pencil (some species do not have an English name or a common name). In addition, there are many species that have not yet been given scientific names (universally common academic names). The best example of this is the new Crimson Red Pencil that we are introducing today. I can imagine that there are still many pencil friends living in the vast South America that we have never seen before.

Pencil stars ~Learn about the characteristics of each type~

This time we will introduce red pencils. There are four types: Arc Red Pencil, Blood Red Pencil, and the new Crimson Red Pencil and Crimson Black Pencil. Both have red coloring and stocky bodies and are very similar, but my opinion is that they are of different lineages. A comparative analysis of the habits, body types, and coloration of females reveals that the blood red pencil, crimson red pencil, and crimson black pencil are closely related to the dwarf pencil (Nanostomus maginatus), whereas the arc red pencil is different from them. I think it may be a different species. Males and females of both species have different body colors, and sexual dimorphism is noticeable when they mature, with males being colorful while females are more reserved.

Superstar of the pencil world
Ark red pencilfish

Ark Red Pencil Fish
Nannostomus mortenthaleri
Total length: approx. 3.5cm Distribution: Peru English name: Coral red pencilfish
The common name in Japan is Ark Red Pencil Fish. This beautiful species came to Japan from Peru in 2000, and instantly became a pencil star with its shocking coloring, with black lines running across its bright red body. Males have strong personalities and compete violently with each other, but their body color becomes even darker and more beautiful when they fight, so to bring out the beautiful colors of this species, it is best to keep multiple males together.

Attractive artistic color patterns
Blood red pencilfish Blood red pencilfish

blood red pencil
Nannostomus rubrocaudatus
Total length: approx. 3cm Distribution: Peru English name: Purple Pencilfish
It was brought to Japan from Peru following Ark Red Pencil. The common name in Japan is blood red pencil fish. Although it is often thought to be less flashy than the other two types, it is a very unique pencil with a bright red color that looks like it was painted with a brush. They are gentler than Ark Red Pencils, but when kept in small numbers, strong males can chase weak individuals.

A new star will be born in spring 2022
Crimson red pencilfish

crimson red pencil
Nannostomus sp.
Total length: Approximately 3cm Distribution: Peru
An attractive pencil that made its first appearance in Japan from Peru in the spring of 2022. The common name in Japan is crimson red pencil fish. It is smaller than the Ark Red Pencil and is thought to be closely related to the Dwarf Pencil due to its body shape and female coloring. The body is dyed a deep red color and looks just like a sockeye salmon in its wedding colors. There is no doubt that it will be a presence that divides the stardom from Ark Red Pencil. Normally, most pencils tend to become lighter in body color when subjected to stress such as being scooped up with a net, but the Crimson Red Pencil's body color does not change much even when stressed, which is another major feature. Yes. Also, if you breed multiple males, their faces will turn red, making them even more beautiful. Therefore, when breeding this species, we recommend breeding multiple males as much as possible.

The black line stands out
crimson black pencil fish　Crimson Black pencilfish

Nannostomus sp.
Total length: Approximately 3cm Distribution: Peru
This is a new pencilfish that came from Peru, following the Crimson Red Pencil. Its common name in Japan is crimson black pencil fish. The existence of this pencil was already known on the Internet through information dissemination by a local exporter, but in reality, an unknown Crimson Red Pencil was imported first. There is a clear black line on the back and abdomen, and the side of the body surrounded by this line is dyed bright red. Although the males fight each other, it doesn't seem to be as violent as in the Ark Red Pencil.

Distribution and acquisition

As of 2022, Ark Red Pencil and Blood Red Pencil have the highest distribution volume among pencils, so it shouldn't be difficult to obtain them. They are often sold in pairs, so decide how many to keep depending on the size of your aquarium. Crimson Red Pencil and Crimson Black Pencil, which were recently introduced to Japan, are still in limited circulation and may be difficult to obtain. They are also expensive, so if you are not confident in raising them, we recommend that you try not to overdo it, but first try to get the hang of raising them with something similar, such as the Blood Red Pencil.

Key points of breeding

If you keep these points in mind, you can raise each species in the same way. Compared to other species, Ark Red Pencils are larger and more aggressive, so it is best to keep this in mind and keep them in a larger aquarium. Also, the females of Blood Red Pencil, Crimson Red Pencil, and Crimson Black Pencil look very similar and it will be difficult to tell them apart if they are mixed, so it is best to avoid mixing them.

◆Breeding example of Ark Red Pencil

I made a layout using driftwood and aquatic plants for Ark Red Pencil. A green curtain is created by growing pines in the background. The key is to create a place where weak individuals can hide by placing plenty of driftwood and aquatic plants.

■Breeding DATA■
Aquarium: width 450 x depth 220 x height 330mm/approx. 27.8L
filter:Suisaku Space Power Fit Plus M White
Filter material:Suisaku Space PowerFit Plus Replacement Filter Media
Substrate:Soil II for fish that prefer slightly acidic conditions(0.5L x 5 bags used)
illumination:light up 400 white
Water temperature: 26℃
Feed: Flake or granule type food once or twice a day
Breeding organisms: Ark Red Pencil (4 males, 2 females)
Aquatic plants: Matsumo, Echinodorus uruguaiensis
■Riva 450N 6 piece set(Aquarium / Lid / Protective mat / Filter / LED light / Descaling)

●Aquarium
We recommend an aquarium with a width of 40 cm or more. In particular, if you keep multiple Ark Red Pencils in a small aquarium, the weaker ones will always be hidden, making it difficult to admire them. Therefore, if you want to keep multiple fish, it is important to keep them in the largest aquarium possible. Please refer to the table for the aquarium size and the number of each species. By the way, in this breeding example, we are breeding 450 Ark Red Pencils in an aquarium measuring 220 mm wide x 330 mm deep x 6 mm high.

◆Guideline for aquarium size and number of fish kept
*The number of animals kept must be adjusted depending on the compatibility of the individuals and the layout of the aquarium.

●Water quality
The pencil introduced this time prefers slightly acidic soft water. In terms of pH, which is a guideline for water quality, it is ideal if you can maintain a pH between 5 and 6. However, in my experience, Ark Red Pencils do not have any problems as long as they maintain clean water even if the pH is around neutral, and they can be kept in good condition for a long period of time even at around pH 7.5. Since Crimson Red Pencil has only been introduced for a short time, there is still little breeding data, so if you want to keep it for a long time, it is important to maintain a slightly acidic environment. It is also important to measure the water quality regularly when breeding to understand the condition of the aquarium.

●Filter (filter)
Any type of filter can be used. Use an external type, internal type, external type, upper type, etc. that matches the size of your aquarium. If you keep a large number of fish, the water tends to get dirty, so a filter with a large filtration area is effective. Also, since they don't like water that is too strong, we recommend using a filter that has a function that allows you to adjust the water flow to create a gentle water flow.

●Filter material
Some types of filter media can affect water quality, so choose one that does not make the water alkaline. Personally, I often use wool mats, which are useful because they are versatile and can be used with any type of filter, and are inexpensive.

●Bottom sand
The choice of substrate is important. Some substrates may affect water quality, so avoid using ones that make the water alkaline. It is best to use something that makes the water slightly acidic or something that does not affect the water quality. If you are unsure which one to choose, we recommend a type made from processed soil called soil. Depending on the product, there are products that make the water slightly acidic or neutral, and products that make the water slightly acidic are suitable for breeding pencils.

●Lighting
Necessary for observing fish and growing aquatic plants. Make your pencil look beautiful by using an LED light that matches the size of your aquarium. The approximate irradiation time is approximately 6 to 10 hours. "LED smart timerIt would be convenient if you could control the irradiation time using a timer such as ".

●Water temperature
There is no problem as long as the temperature can be maintained at 25-26℃. High water temperatures in summer are a particular problem when keeping tropical fish. If the water temperature exceeds 30°C for a long time, fish will become sick and may develop diseases, so it is necessary to take measures to prevent the water temperature from exceeding 28°C in the summer. "Mini cool fan USBstyleTry to maintain a suitable water temperature by using an aquarium cooling fan such as '' or by using an air conditioner in rooms that tend to get hot.

●Bait
Both species easily feed on artificial feed, so it's nice that you don't have to worry about feeding them. We recommend floating granule or flake foods that are easy to feed. However, because their mouths are small, they are not good at feeding with large grains. Choose small ones or crush large ones with your fingers to make them smaller before feeding. They will also happily eat brine shrimp larvae, so it is a good idea to feed them occasionally. They are quite voracious eaters and if you give them a lot, they will eat until their stomachs are full. Continuing to feed a large amount of food may cause the dog to become unwell, so if possible, feed it in an appropriate amount several times a day to prevent its stomach from bloating, or if you cannot feed it frequently, feed it once or twice a day to keep its stomach a little plump. I will try to give as much as I can.

Many individuals become excited when fed, and you may see not only males but also females becoming aggressive and spreading their fins. Feeding behavior is also a barometer of fish health, and fish that eat well are healthy and energetic. On the other hand, if an individual stays still without paying attention to food, it may be unwell or may be sick. Observe the pencils carefully when feeding them.

Pencil friends may eat moss (algae) that grows in the aquarium, but their ability as moss-removal organisms is not very high. To make the moss less noticeable, it is a good idea to have plants such as Yamatonuma shrimp or Otocinculus cohabitating with it.

●Other necessary equipment
Aeration is effective when there are a large number of fish or when biofilm is forming on the water surface.air pumpAerate using air tubes, air stones, etc.

●Layout inside the aquarium
When breeding multiple Pencils, the layout of the aquarium is important. Especially if you keep multiple males, they will often fight, so create a place where the weaker ones can hide in case they are chased, or where they can take a breather in the shade. You can just place a lot of driftwood, aquatic plants, etc., but if you are confident in your layout, try creating an aquatic plant layout using multiple aquatic plants. However, it is important to have a place to hide, so try creating a forest of aquatic plants by combining tall aquatic plants. In this breeding example, we placed large pieces of driftwood and made a curtain of aquatic plants by growing the easy-to-cultivate pine trees in the background of the aquarium, which seems to be a good hiding place for the Ark Red Pencils.

●Water changes and daily management
If you notice moss on the glass surface or dirt on the bottom floor,moss removal goodsIt is a good idea to clean it using a substrate cleaner or a substrate cleaner, and change the water at the same time. You can maintain a clean aquarium by cleaning it frequently and changing the water little by little. In addition, to prevent moss from forming, it is recommended to have Yamatonuma shrimp and Otocinculus cohabitating with the plant, which often eat moss. Pencils rarely attack these moss-catching creatures, so there is no problem living with them. In an aquarium with a width of about 40 cm, you can see sufficient effects even with about one fish living together.

●Points to keep in mind when breeding
In addition to the basics of breeding, here are some points to keep in mind. I think it's a good idea to keep this in mind, as there are some things that are often overlooked.
·Pencil has surprisingly strong jumping power, soMake sure to cover the aquarium tightly.
·PencilBe careful not to jump out when scooping.. Be especially careful with Crimson Red Pencil as it bounces a lot.
·Pencil is full of curiosity. When changing waterDo not suck it out as it may come to the hose that is draining water.Please be careful.
·Set in the aquariumBe careful as it may get stuck in gaps between equipment.let's do it.

Multiple breeding techniques

Pencils are fun fish to keep in groups, but as mentioned above, males often fight with each other. Here are some points to keep in mind when breeding your pet with competition in mind. Please try to reference.

●Multiple breeding of the same species
If you keep multiple males, they will eventually become dominant and there will be less fighting. However, they often fight when they are excited, such as after feeding, so one way to do this is to devise a layout to create more hiding places, or if the fighting becomes too intense, try adding other tropical fish to the mix.

●About swimming with other tropical fish
Small, relatively mild tropical fish that prefer the same water quality as listed below are suitable for swimming with pencils.
·Small characin: Small species such as neon tetra and red phantom
·Small carp:Small species such as rasboras and bulbs
·Medaka friends: Small, fast-moving species such as lampeyes and platys.
·Gentle catfish: Grass cat, Corydoras, Otocinculus, small pleco, etc.
·Dwarf cichlid: Small species such as Apistogramma, Ramirezii, and Pervicachromis.
·Small anabantids: Betta fish and small gourami species
·Other small species: Gentle loaches such as bugis and coolie loaches, etc.

If you are bothered by too much fighting between male pencils, or if other individuals are hiding and not coming out, try mixing in a lot of small caracins, carp, etc. to make it harder to target the attack, or to ease the fighting. may be done. However, excited pencils can become aggressive and attack tropical fish that are weaker than them, so it is important to observe them carefully every day. If mixing is not going well, it is important to take measures such as moving weak individuals to another tank as soon as possible.

in conclusion

In the first installment of this series, we introduced the charms of red pencils and how to raise them, but each species is unique and fun to raise. There are many other types of pencils other than those introduced here. Please come and observe their fun ecology in an aquarium. see you!