This pencil fish has earned itself a number of unusual common names, including Diptail Pencilfish, Rocket Pencil Fish, and Hockey-Stick Pencilfish. All of these relate to the unusual body shape, and very unusual posture. Shoals of this fish will often sit, unmoving, among aquatic plants in a tail-down position, aiding their camouflage.

These pencilfish will do quite well in a planted tank, where their colours will really shine. They also make a great addition to a community fish tank. Their very sedate, slow moving nature, unfortunately, makes them fairly poor dither fish for dwarf cichlids, as they simply don't move enough to give the cichlids any sense of security.