Pencilfish - Golden

Gold Pencilfish (2–3 cm Juveniles)

Scientific Name: Nannostomus beckfordi
Category: Freshwater Nano Fish | Size: 2–3 cm | Temperament: Peaceful | Origin: Wild-Collected or Captive-Bred

The Gold Pencilfish is a slender, shimmering nano species prized for its metallic golden body and peaceful nature. These 2–3 cm juveniles are already displaying their vibrant gold hues and are perfect for planted aquariums, nano communities, or biotope-style tanks. A top-dwelling schooling fish, they bring movement and sparkle to the upper levels of the aquarium.

Key Features:

• Brilliant gold body with a bold black lateral stripe

• Peaceful, schooling behavior

• Ideal for planted and blackwater setups

• Top-dwelling species adds dimension to community tanks

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72–80°F

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Soft to moderately hard water

Feeding:

• Omnivorous – micropellets, flakes, baby brine shrimp, daphnia

• Small mouth; prefers finely crushed or small-sized food

• Variety-based diet enhances coloration and activity

Tank Requirements:

• Minimum tank size: 10 gallons (larger if keeping a full school)

• Best kept in schools of 6 or more

• Provide plenty of plants, leaf litter, and gentle flow

• Peaceful tankmates only—avoid fin-nippers or large predators

Ideal For:

Nano tank keepers, planted tank enthusiasts, or aquarists seeking an elegant, peaceful top-dweller with stunning reflective coloration. Great for community tanks and South American biotope aquariums.