Golden Pencilfish - Nannostomus beckfordi Fish Profile & Care Guide
Introduction
The ever-curious Golden Pencilfish, also widely known as the Beckford's Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi), is a stunning and peaceful species that always takes centre stage. It peers out of the tank and eagerly greets you whenever you stray near your aquarium. Their inquisitive, personable nature alone makes them one of the most delightful nano fish species to select when choosing the inhabitants to stock in your aquarium.
Aptly named for their uncanny resemblance to pencils—or perhaps for reasons unknown—these fish bring a touch of elegance as they casually hover and gently glide around the aquarium.
Beckford's Pencilfish is arguably the most common Pencilfish species found in the fishkeeping hobby, capturing the hearts of many hobbyists around the world. They are commercially bred easily, making them economical and easy to source.
Within the confines of a tank, Beckford's Pencilfish gracefully navigates the middle and lower water layers. They thrive in calm, serene environments that mimic their natural habitats and exhibit a notable preference for setups with a gentle water flow.
Beckford's Pencilfish typically reaches an adult size of about 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 centimetres) in length. These pencilfish are excellent community fish. Beckford's Pencilfish, in particular, is known for their peaceful and social nature.
They coexist harmoniously with other non-aggressive species, making them a great addition to a community tank.
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Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
Distinguishing male and female Golden Pencilfish is a relatively easy task. Males exhibit a more vibrant and intense colouration, in addition to possessing an enlarged, well-developed anal fin utilized during courtship and spawning. Their anal fin is also curved towards the back. Females, on the other hand, have a straight anal fin, and a rounder body shape and are less colourful than males.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Nannostomus beckfordi |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 1872 |
| Other Names | Beckford' s Pencilfish, Brown Pencilfish |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Family | Lebiasinidae |
| Genus | Nannostomus |
| Origins | Guyana Suriname Brazil Venezuela |
| Approx Max Size | 4 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | All Levels |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet & Feeding | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 5 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 5.5 - 8.0 |
| GH | 5 - 19 |
| TDS | 18 - 268 |
| ℉ | 69 - 80 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 20 - 26 |
Natural Habitat
The Beckford's Pencilfish originates from South America's lush rivers and swampy areas. Their natural habitats are often dense with aquatic vegetation, submerged bogwood and branches, and abundant leaf litter.
Notable rivers where they have been collected from include the Rio Negro and Rio Essequibo. In the wild, Golden Pencilfish are known to be shy and prefer to stay hidden in the vegetation. They thrive in soft, acidic water with temperatures typically ranging from 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C).
Breeding
Golden Pencilfish are fascinating egg scatterers that require some effort to breed. While they don't take care of their young, the adult fish will spawn naturally in a well-established aquarium, and some fry may survive. However, if you want to increase your chances of successfully breeding these fish, conditioning a large group with plenty of live food is recommended.
To encourage spawning, select a pair or a group containing one or two males and several females, and place them in a small breeding tank with mature water and plenty of fine-leaved plants, plastic grass matting, or spawning mops. You can also use marbles or pebbles to line the bottom of a bare tank to prevent the parents from getting to the eggs.
Maintain a dimly lit tank with neutral to slightly acidic water, and keep the temperature at the high end of their range. Add a small sponge air filter for circulation, and spawning should occur naturally. After spawning, remove the parents from the breeding tank and introduce Paramecium or green water to feed the fry. About three days later, the fry should become free-swimming and can be fed finely crushed flake food, microworms, or newly hatched brine shrimp once they are big enough.
Diet & Feeding
Golden Pencilfish are not known to be selective eaters and will readily consume various types of food. While high-quality flake food is suitable as a staple diet, it is essential to supplement their diet with live or frozen food to ensure their nutritional needs are being met. Offering them foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, grindal worms, and tubifex will provide them with essential proteins and nutrients for optimal health and vitality.
Videos
Other Pencilfish
Published: 21 Oct 2020
Last Updated: 31 May 2024