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Golden Pencilfish
Nannostomus beckfordi
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Lebiasinidae
📍 Amazon & Guyana, South America
Hardy, golden-bodied pencilfish with a bold red-and-black lateral stripe. The most adaptable pencilfish — tolerates a wider pH range than most. Great for beginner planted tanks.
Care Guide
Diet
Golden Pencilfish are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets, small flake foods, and frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes. Supplement occasionally with vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae wafers to ensure balanced nutrition.
Behavior
These peaceful, schooling fish are most active during dawn and dusk, spending much of their time in the mid-water column. They exhibit characteristic head-down posturing and are generally shy, so they thrive best in groups of at least 6 individuals where they feel secure. They rarely interact aggressively with other species and make excellent community tank inhabitants.
Breeding
Breeding Golden Pencilfish in captivity is possible but challenging and rarely achieved by hobbyists. They require soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), dense vegetation for egg scattering, and very small live foods for fry. Success requires patience, pristine water conditions, and a dedicated breeding setup separate from the main tank.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water parameter requirements make them ideal companions
Small, peaceful invertebrates that add bioload control; pencilfish may occasionally nip at shrimplets
Peaceful gouramis with compatible water requirements; ensure adequate space to prevent territorial issues
Small algae-eating fish with identical water needs and peaceful demeanor; excellent for planted tanks
Dense vegetation provides shelter and security for schooling pencilfish while supporting fry if breeding occurs
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces
Raise temperature gradually to 28–29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, and use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or ich-specific medication for 7–10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or disintegrating fin edges, discoloration at fin bases, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove any sharp tank décor, and treat with antibacterial medication if severe
Neon Tetra Disease (Pleistophora)
Loss of coloration, curved spine, lethargy, erratic swimming behavior
No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread and consider euthanasia; maintain excellent water quality to prevent secondary infections
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, clamped fins, weight loss despite feeding
Perform 50% water changes, treat with antiparasitic medication, and quarantine new fish before adding to the main tank
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- diet
- omnivore
- maxSize
- 2.5 inches
- minTankSize
- 10 gallons
- temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C