Pyrrhulina brevis

Alternative names

 * Short-Lined Pyrrhulina

Sexing

 * Unknown

Tank compatibility

 * This fish is not strictly shoaling but will be more active and secure in groups of 5 or more. Keep with peaceful similar sized fish but nothing slow-moving with long fins.

Diet

 * Will accept flake and small pellets, as well as spirulina, brine shrimp and other small meaty foods.

Feeding regime

 * Feed 1 - 2 times a day.

Environment Specifics

 * Hails from the waters of the northern Amazon Basin in Brazil.

Behaviour

 * A generally peaceful mid-swimming fish.

Identification

 * The Short-Lined Pyrrhulina has a typical "pencilfish" Body. A smaller fish typically reaching 5cm and sometimes 7cm. They are slate/gun metal grey on the sides and the top of the body with the belly being a creamy white.The scales have iridescent orange highlights. Also look for an orange iris and a small black stripe starting at the front of the mouth travelling laterally towards the tail going through the eye and terminating at the gill cover. The fins are also rather large in comparison to body size. All fins have a yellow highlight closer to the body and the tail fin is exceptionally large with the upper lobe being larger than the bottom looking somewhat "shark like." The dorsal fin is set back farther down the body than a standard fish and has a small black smudge towards the top.