{"product_id":"gold-beckford-pencilfish","title":"Gold Beckford Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi \"Gold\") (Unsexed)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eGold Beckford Pencilfish\u003c\/b\u003e (\u003ci\u003eNannostomus beckfordi \"Gold\"\u003c\/i\u003e) 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlace of Origin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wild lineage of \u003ci\u003eNannostomus beckfordi\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTank Size \u0026amp; Care Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003e15 to 20 gallons\u003c\/b\u003e (A longer tank footprint is preferred to give this active swimmer ample room).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchooling Size:\u003c\/b\u003e Must be kept in groups of \u003cb\u003e6 to 10+ individuals\u003c\/b\u003e. Schooling reduces stress, encourages natural social behavior, and intensifies their vivid coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/b\u003e 72°F – 81°F (22°C – 27°C)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epH Range:\u003c\/b\u003e 6.0 – 7.2 (Prefers soft to neutral water)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardness:\u003c\/b\u003e 2 – 10 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAquarium Environment \u0026amp; Habitat Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo showcase their best colors and keep them thriving, design an environment mimicking their natural South American blackwater habitat:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAquascaping:\u003c\/b\u003e Provide dense live plants such as \u003ci\u003eAnubias\u003c\/i\u003e, Java Fern, Amazon Swords, and fine-leaved floating plants (e.g., Frogbit or Salvinia). Floating vegetation diffuses lighting and offers security.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubstrate \u0026amp; Decor:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/b\u003e Prefers gentle to moderate water movement with clean, well-oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Diet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs micro-predators with tiny mouths, Gold Beckford Pencilfish thrive on small, high-protein foods:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStaple Foods:\u003c\/b\u003e High-quality micro-pellets, crushed flake food, or fine spirulina powder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLive\/Frozen Foods:\u003c\/b\u003e Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and rotifers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eTip:\u003c\/i\u003e A varied diet rich in natural carotenoids will significantly enhance the red and gold pigmentation in their fins and body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTank Mates \u0026amp; Temperament\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompatible Tank Mates:\u003c\/b\u003e 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).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecies to Avoid:\u003c\/b\u003e Large, fast-swimming, or aggressive predatory fish (such as large Cichlids, Angelfish, or aggressive Barbs) that may harass them or view them as food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBreeding Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGold Beckford Pencilfish are egg scatterers and relatively straightforward to breed in a controlled aquarium environment:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBreeding Setup:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpawning:\u003c\/b\u003e Introduce a well-conditioned pair or a group with a higher ratio of females. Spawning typically occurs in the early morning among dense foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEgg Care:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease visit our “Ordering\/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe 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.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eUnless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"KGTropicals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41341295689792,"sku":null,"price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1478\/2240\/files\/Unknown-52.jpg?v=1787335699","url":"https:\/\/keepfishkeeping.com\/products\/gold-beckford-pencilfish","provider":"KGTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}