Golden Pencilfish

Nannostomus beckfordi

Golden Pencilfish is a peaceful all-zone swimmer.

PeacefulAll-zone swimmerBeginner – Intermediate

Save this fish or add it directly to one of your aquariums.

Need help with Golden Pencilfish?

Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.

Quick facts

Adult size: ≤ 2.6" (≤ 6.5 cm)
Aquarium size: 16 US gal (60 L) or larger / ≥ 17.7" (≥ 45 cm) minimum length
Care level: Beginner – Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Swimming zone: All-zone swimmer
Temperature: 70–81°F (21–27°C)
pH: 5–8
GH: 1–15 dGH
Diet: Carnivore
Lifespan: up to 5 years

Care requirements

Care level: Beginner – Intermediate.

Lifespan: up to 5 years.

Aquarium size and space needs

Minimum aquarium size: 16 US gal (60 L) or larger / ≥ 17.7" (≥ 45 cm) minimum length. Plan the layout and stocking within that limit.

Water parameters

Suitable water: temperature 21–27 °C, pH 5–8, GH 1–15 dGH.

Temperament and compatibility

Golden Pencilfish is peaceful and suits calm community fish.

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses multiple areas of the aquarium, so leave enough open swimming space for movement and feeding.

Feeding

Use foods that suit a meatier diet and avoid combining it with fish small enough to be treated as food.

Micropredator; offer small live/frozen invertebrates alongside small dried foods; avoid very vigorous feeding competitors.

Before adding this fish

Plan for an aquarium of 16 US gal (60 L) or larger / ≥ 17.7" (≥ 45 cm) minimum length.
Avoid aggressive or highly competitive fish.
Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.

Natural habitat and origin

Origin: Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela.

Similar fish profiles

Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.

Barred Pencilfish Nannostomus espei Same genus Same family Similar care level Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 1.2" (≤ 3 cm) 72–82°F (22–28°C) Armoured Stickleback Indostomus paradoxus Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 1.2" (≤ 3 cm) 72–81°F (22–27°C) Black-winged Hatchetfish Carnegiella marthae Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 1.1" (≤ 2.9 cm) 68–82°F (20–28°C) African Spottail Tetra Brachypetersius altus Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 2.6" (≤ 6.5 cm) 75–79°F (24–26°C) Amanda Jane Corydoras Corydoras amandajanea Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 2.6" (≤ 6.5 cm) 73–81°F (23–27°C) Armatus Corydoras Corydoras armatus Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Beginner – Intermediate ≤ 2.6" (≤ 6.5 cm) 72–79°F (22–26°C)

FAQ

How large does Golden Pencilfish get?

Golden Pencilfish reaches ≤ 2.6" (≤ 6.5 cm).

What aquarium size does Golden Pencilfish need?

Use an aquarium of at least 16 US gal (60 L) or larger / ≥ 17.7" (≥ 45 cm) minimum length.

Is Golden Pencilfish peaceful?

Yes. Golden Pencilfish is recorded as peaceful and is best planned with calm community fish that do not harass it or dominate the feeding area.

What temperature is suitable for Golden Pencilfish?

Keep it between 21 to 27 °C.