{"product_id":"golden-pencilfish-nannostomus-beckfordi","title":"Golden Pencilfish – Nannostomus beckfordi","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Golden Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi) is a graceful freshwater schooling fish known for its slim pencil-like body, golden sheen, red accents, and peaceful behavior. This elegant species adds gentle movement and natural color to planted aquariums, nano tanks, and peaceful community setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Pencilfish do best in groups, where they feel more secure and show their best color and activity. Their gold and red tones stand out beautifully under aquarium lighting, especially in aquascapes with live plants, driftwood, darker substrate, and calm tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGolden body with red accents and a dark lateral stripe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful freshwater schooling fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreat for planted aquariums and natural aquascapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalm top to upper-middle swimming behavior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood choice for nano and community aquariums\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 Golden Pencilfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e South America\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 Up to approximately 2 inches\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 74–82°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 Golden Pencilfish?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Pencilfish are a beautiful option for aquarists who want a peaceful schooling fish with subtle color and refined movement. Their slender body shape and golden shimmer create a natural, elegant look that works especially well in planted tanks and blackwater-style aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are active without being aggressive and are best kept with other calm community fish. A group of 6 or more helps reduce stress and encourages natural social behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal Tank Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Pencilfish thrive in a stable, fully cycled aquarium with gentle water flow, live plants, and areas of cover. Floating plants, driftwood, leaf litter, darker substrate, and shaded areas can help them feel secure while enhancing their gold and red coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause they often use the upper levels of the aquarium, a secure lid is recommended. Keep water clean and stable with regular maintenance and avoid aggressive or overly active tankmates that may outcompete them for food.\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\u003eGolden Pencilfish are omnivores with small mouths and should be offered small, appropriately sized foods. Feed quality micro pellets, fine flakes, crushed flakes, frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and other small frozen or 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, floating plants, and gentle cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse peaceful tankmates that will not outcompete them\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 top-dwelling fish may jump\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many Golden Pencilfish should I keep together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA group of at least 6 or more is recommended to help them feel secure and show their best color and behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Golden Pencilfish peaceful?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Golden Pencilfish are peaceful schooling fish that do well with calm freshwater community tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan Golden Pencilfish live with shrimp or snails?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. They can live with shrimp and snails in planted aquariums with proper cover, although very tiny baby shrimp may be eaten by many fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Golden Pencilfish good for planted tanks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. They are excellent for planted aquariums and natural aquascapes with gentle flow, live plants, and darker backgrounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat enhances their color?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStable water, quality foods, dimmer lighting, darker substrate, and live plants can help bring out their gold and red tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do Golden Pencilfish eat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey eat micro pellets, fine flakes, 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\u003eGolden Pencilfish are peaceful freshwater schooling fish for planted aquariums, nano tanks, and calm community setups. 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":51688692220117,"sku":null,"price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/4545\/8133\/files\/Pencil_beckfordMAQa_1.jpg?v=1756073731","url":"https:\/\/tropicaltreasureswyo.com\/products\/golden-pencilfish-nannostomus-beckfordi","provider":"Tropical Treasures Wyo LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}