Beckford's Golden Pencil Fish (Nannostomus beckfordi – Golden Morph)
Elegant and eye-catching, the Beckford's Golden Pencil Fish is a stunning color variant of the classic Nannostomus beckfordi. This unique strain showcases a shimmering golden body contrasted by a bold black horizontal stripe and soft reddish highlights, making it an exceptional choice for peaceful, planted aquariums.
Key Features:
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Scientific Name: Nannostomus beckfordi (Golden Variant)
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Common Names: Golden Pencil Fish, Beckford’s Golden Pencil Fish
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Origin: Selectively bred from Amazon Basin stock
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Temperament: Peaceful and social
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Adult Size: Around 2 inches
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Minimum Tank Size: 10–15 gallons (larger preferred for groups)
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Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 72–82°F
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pH: 6.0–7.5
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Soft to moderately hard water
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Diet: Omnivorous – enjoys micro pellets, flake food, live/frozen daphnia or brine shrimp
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Tank Level: Mid to upper
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Best Kept In: Schools of 6 or more for natural behavior and reduced stress
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Tank Setup: Planted aquascapes with low to moderate lighting; driftwood and leaf litter enhance coloration
Why Choose the Golden Pencil Fish?
This vibrant variation brings a warm, golden hue to aquariums and maintains the same peaceful, schooling behavior as its wild-type cousins. It’s a perfect complement to nano tanks, South American biotopes, or any aquascape where gentle color and grace are desired. Their small size and peaceful nature make them excellent tankmates for tetras, rasboras, and dwarf corydoras.
Brighten your aquarium with the luminous charm of the Beckford’s Golden Pencil Fish — a golden gem for the peaceful planted tank.
The Pencil Fish is a great fish to keep in an aquascaped aquarium. These fish are not normally seen in the fish hobby and make great additions to community fish tanks. They prefer softer and slightly acidic water.
Size is about 3/4" to an inch.
