Those are looking good, and ten is a good number. I like this species, Nannostomus eques, it is quite hardy for a pencilfish, has the oblique swimming position, and is an interesting addition to a quiet planted tank. They will remain fairly close together, but move around browsing all plant leaf surfaces for food. You have male and female in the group, so assuming the water is on the soft side, you can expect spawning when they are settled, though as with most characins, the eggs will likely get eaten, but with thick plants fry can sometimes survive.
They've colored up even better in the couple of days since I took the pics. I like their languid swimming style and mellow personalities. I also have a pair of GBRs in there that decided to breed for the first time just after I added the Pencilfish. They completely ignored them. These so far appear to be ideal dithers for the Rams.
I have already seen 2 or 3 Brown Tails breeding in the lower plants.
I was afraid they would be hard to feed but these guys will happily accept crushed flake and have no problem sucking up thawed blood worms through those narrow snouts. They also love thawed cyclops, daphnia and bbs.
Thanks!
Yeah, the foreground plants are mostly Bronze Wendtii and the background plants are Green crypts, (Green Wendtii I think). There is also some Java fern and moss in the right rear, along with a bulb plant that resprouts every year. The little plants on the right front side are actually Italian Vals which became stunted years ago after being exposed to Flourish Excell. They now have become foreground plants...
I also pulled some Wisteria from another tank and have it floating in this one to make the Pencil fish more at home.
Looks good! I am working on my 20L for almost the same stocking list. I have it planted as well. I really like the contrast of the bronze and green wendtii's that you have going.