Beckford's Red Pencilfish - Nannostomus beckfordi

Beckford’s Red Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi)

The Beckford’s Red Pencilfish, Nannostomus beckfordi, is a peaceful South American pencilfish prized for its slim body shape, horizontal striping and warm red to golden colouration. Also known as Beckford’s Pencilfish, Golden Pencilfish or Red Pencilfish, this small characin relative is an excellent choice for planted community aquariums, especially where calm, colourful surface-to-midwater activity is wanted. Males can become especially attractive when settled, developing richer red tones and displaying to one another in a group.

Common Name:
Beckford’s Red Pencilfish, Beckford’s Pencilfish, Red Pencilfish, Golden Pencilfish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Nannostomus beckfordi

Maximum Size:
Usually around 5–6 cm.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to northern South America, including Guyana southwards into the Amazon basin and up the Amazon River to the Rio Negro. In the wild, it inhabits small rivers, swamps and slow-moving waters with little current, often among vegetation, submerged roots, leaf litter and shaded margins.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness or Salinity: Soft to moderately hard freshwater; stable, clean water is preferred.

Temperament:
Peaceful and sociable, though males can be mildly territorial when displaying. Beckford’s Pencilfish are best kept in groups, where any chasing or sparring is spread naturally and the fish feel more secure. They are suitable for calm community aquariums but should not be mixed with large, aggressive or very boisterous fish.

Diet:
Micro-predator and omnivore. In nature, Nannostomus beckfordi feeds on tiny invertebrates such as worms, crustaceans and insects. In the aquarium, offer fine flakes, micro pellets, crushed granules, frozen daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, small bloodworm and other suitably small foods. Their small mouths mean food size is important.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 60 litres is recommended for a small group, with 90 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal in a planted community aquarium.

Behaviour & Activity:
A gentle upper-to-midwater fish that swims with a slightly angled, pencil-like posture and spends much of its time among plants and open water near the surface. Keep at least 6 individuals, with 8–10 or more preferred for confidence, colour and natural male display behaviour. It appreciates floating plants, fine-leaved planting, wood and calmer areas away from strong current.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Suitable with small peaceful tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids with care, Corydoras, Otocinclus, small peaceful gouramis, hatchetfish and other calm community species. Avoid large predators, fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids, fast boisterous feeders and any fish large enough to swallow them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, planted aquarium with gentle filtration, shaded areas and stable water quality. Floating plants help diffuse light and make the fish feel secure. Avoid very strong flow, as this species naturally favours quieter waters. A secure lid is recommended because small surface-oriented fish can jump. Red colouration varies with sex, mood, diet, maturity and strain, with males usually showing the strongest colour.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common in trade / Captive-bred where relevant

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.