{"product_id":"beckfords-red-pencilfish-nannostomus-beckfordi","title":"Beckford’s Red Pencilfish – Nannostomus beckfordi","description":"\u003cp\u003eBeckford’s Red Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi) are slender, peaceful freshwater nano fish known for their horizontal swimming posture, subtle red coloration, and calm top-dwelling behavior. These elegant fish are a beautiful choice for planted aquariums, nano tanks, and peaceful community setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir slim body shape, gentle movement, and soft red accents make Beckford’s Red Pencilfish especially attractive in natural-style aquascapes with live plants, driftwood, leaf litter, and darker backgrounds. They do best in groups, where they feel more secure and display natural social behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlender body with attractive red accents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful top-dwelling nano fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreat for planted aquariums and aquascapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalm community fish for smaller freshwater tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnique horizontal swimming posture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest kept in groups of 6 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nannostomus beckfordi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beckford’s Red Pencilfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 1.5–2 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize at Sale:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 0.75–1 inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–20 gallons or larger recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Top to upper-middle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–80°F\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Choose Beckford’s Red Pencilfish?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeckford’s Red Pencilfish offer a different look from many standard schooling fish. Their slim shape, peaceful nature, and upper-level swimming behavior add gentle movement without overwhelming the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are an excellent choice for aquarists who want a calm, refined nano fish for planted aquariums or natural aquascapes. Their subtle red tones become more noticeable in stable tanks with good nutrition, plants, and darker backgrounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal Tank Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeckford’s Red Pencilfish do best in a stable, fully cycled aquarium with gentle water movement, live plants, and areas of cover. Floating plants, driftwood, leaf litter, and darker substrate can help them feel secure while enhancing their natural coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause they spend much of their time near the upper portion of the aquarium, a secure lid is recommended. Keep them in groups of at least 6 or more for best confidence, behavior, and long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatible Tankmates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall peaceful tetras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRasboras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther peaceful pencilfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorydoras catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall peaceful gouramis with caution\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShrimp with proper cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSnails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiet \u0026amp; Feeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeckford’s Red Pencilfish are omnivores and should be offered small, appropriately sized foods. Feed quality micro pellets, fine flakes, crushed flakes, frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and small live foods when available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA varied diet helps support healthy color, activity, and overall condition. Feed small portions that the group can consume quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep in groups of 6 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide live plants and gentle cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse peaceful, calm tankmates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain clean, stable aquarium water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse darker substrate or backgrounds to enhance color\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse a secure lid since they may jump\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Beckford’s Red Pencilfish good for planted tanks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. They are excellent for planted aquariums and natural aquascapes with live plants, driftwood, and gentle water movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many Beckford’s Red Pencilfish should I keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKeep them in groups of at least 6 or more for best behavior, confidence, and reduced stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Beckford’s Red Pencilfish aggressive?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. They are peaceful fish and do well with other calm community species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat part of the tank do they use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey mostly use the top to upper-middle portion of the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big do Beckford’s Red Pencilfish get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey typically reach approximately 1.5–2 inches as adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do Beckford’s Red Pencilfish eat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey eat fine flakes, micro pellets, frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and other small foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these fish available for shipping?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Live fish are available for in-store purchase or local pickup only at Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAvailable at Tropical Treasures Wyo\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeckford’s Red Pencilfish are peaceful top-dwelling nano fish for planted aquariums, natural aquascapes, and calm freshwater community tanks. Visit Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to shop pencilfish, nano fish, freshwater fish, shrimp, snails, live aquarium plants, fish food, filtration supplies, and aquarium care products. Live livestock is available for in-store purchase or local pickup only.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropical Treasures Wyo LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51691714478293,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/4545\/8133\/files\/PENCILFISHBECKFORDI_SRED.webp?v=1756074000","url":"https:\/\/tropicaltreasureswyo.com\/products\/beckfords-red-pencilfish-nannostomus-beckfordi","provider":"Tropical Treasures Wyo LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}