The Gold Beckford Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi "Gold") is a stunning selectively bred color morph of the classic Golden Pencilfish. Exhibiting a warm golden-yellow body highlighted by a bold dark lateral line and fiery red fin accents, these charming fish are famous for their unique, slightly tilted (oblique) swimming posture. They are active, peaceful shoaling fish that bring vibrancy and dynamic movement to the upper and middle levels of your freshwater aquarium.

Place of Origin

The wild lineage of Nannostomus beckfordi originates from the slow-moving, soft, acidic blackwater streams, forest tributaries, and flooded swamps of South America—specifically across Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and the vast Amazon River basin. The "Gold" variety is cultured in specialized aquaculture farms to enhance its brilliant metallic coloration while preserving the hardiness of its wild ancestors.

Tank Size & Care Requirements

• Care Level: Easy to Moderate

• Minimum Tank Size: 15 to 20 gallons (A longer tank footprint is preferred to give this active swimmer ample room).

• Schooling Size: Must be kept in groups of 6 to 10+ individuals. Schooling reduces stress, encourages natural social behavior, and intensifies their vivid coloration.

• Temperature: 72°F – 81°F (22°C – 27°C)

• pH Range: 6.0 – 7.2 (Prefers soft to neutral water)

• Hardness: 2 – 10 dGH

Aquarium Environment & Habitat Setup

To showcase their best colors and keep them thriving, design an environment mimicking their natural South American blackwater habitat:

• Aquascaping: Provide dense live plants such as Anubias, Java Fern, Amazon Swords, and fine-leaved floating plants (e.g., Frogbit or Salvinia). Floating vegetation diffuses lighting and offers security.

• Substrate & Decor: Dark substrates, driftwood branches, and dried botanical leaves (such as Indian Almond Leaves) help release beneficial tannins, lower pH naturally, and highlight their golden metallic luster.

• Water Flow: Prefers gentle to moderate water movement with clean, well-oxygenated water.

Feeding & Diet

As micro-predators with tiny mouths, Gold Beckford Pencilfish thrive on small, high-protein foods:

• Staple Foods: High-quality micro-pellets, crushed flake food, or fine spirulina powder.

• Live/Frozen Foods: Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and rotifers.

• Tip: A varied diet rich in natural carotenoids will significantly enhance the red and gold pigmentation in their fins and body.

Tank Mates & Temperament

• Temperament: Highly peaceful and social. Male pencilfish will occasionally engage in harmless visual displays or mock sparring (flaring fins and deepening colors) to establish mini-territories, which is a highlight to observe in aquascapes.

• Compatible Tank Mates: Ideal for community setups containing small, non-aggressive species like Neon or Cardinal Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Corydoras Catfish, Otocinclus, Dwarf Gouramis, and freshwater dwarf shrimp (e.g., Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp).

• Species to Avoid: Large, fast-swimming, or aggressive predatory fish (such as large Cichlids, Angelfish, or aggressive Barbs) that may harass them or view them as food.

Breeding Information

Gold Beckford Pencilfish are egg scatterers and relatively straightforward to breed in a controlled aquarium environment:

• Breeding Setup: Set up a separate 5-to-10-gallon spawning tank with soft, acidic water (pH 6.0–6.5, temp 78°F–80°F), low lighting, and fine-leaved plants like Java Moss or a spawning mesh/grid at the bottom.

• Spawning: Introduce a well-conditioned pair or a group with a higher ratio of females. Spawning typically occurs in the early morning among dense foliage.

• Egg Care: Adult pencilfish will eat their own eggs if given the chance. Remove the adults immediately following spawning. Eggs hatch in approximately 24 to 36 hours. Once free-swimming, feed the fry infusoria or liquid fry food before transitioning them to freshly hatched baby brine shrimp.

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.
• We ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish.
• Unless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.