Nannostomus mortenthaleri, commonly known as the coral red pencilfish, is a freshwater species of characin in the family Lebiasinidae. It can be found in the aquarium trade.
Taxonomy The coral red pencilfish was originally described as a subspecies of the dwarf pencilfish (Nannostomus marginatus), but it is now recognized as a species in its own right. It was named in honor of aquarium-fish exporter Martin Mortenthaler (1961–2018), the owner of Aquarium Rio Momon SRL in Iquitos, Peru, who collected the type specimen.,
Description The coral red pencilfish is one of the most colorful of its genus, being suffused with a bright coral red coloration over its entire body and fins, in striking contrast to the jet black stripes. The maximum length is , and mature males have a thickened anal fin.
Distribution The known distribution of the coral red pencilfish is fairly restricted: it has only been recorded from a small tributary of the Nanay River, and possibly also from the Tigre River. Both of these rivers are in Peru.
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