{"product_id":"beckfords-red-pencilfish-nannostomus-beckfordi","title":"Beckford's Red Pencilfish - Nannostomus beckfordi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeckford’s Red Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeckford’s Red Pencilfish, Beckford’s Pencilfish, Red Pencilfish, Golden Pencilfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNannostomus beckfordi\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually around 5–6 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNative 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 23–27°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 6.0–7.5\u003cbr\u003eHardness or Salinity: Soft to moderately hard freshwater; stable, clean water is preferred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMicro-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCommunity Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuitable 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginner to intermediate fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCommon in trade \/ Captive-bred where relevant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":46134646440109,"sku":"AG-103606","price":2.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":46134646472877,"sku":"AG-103607","price":3.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":46134646505645,"sku":"AG-103608","price":3.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/Beckford_sRedPencilfish-Nannostomusbeckfordi.jpg?v=1781805105","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/beckfords-red-pencilfish-nannostomus-beckfordi","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}