From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Beckford's Pencilfish
Nannostomus beckfordi
- Temperature
- 21–27 °C
- pH
- 5 – 8
- Min. tank size
- 41 L
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Nannostomus beckfordi |
| Family: | Lebiasinidae |
| Origin: | South America (Amazon basin and the Guianas) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 6.50 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 10+ together |
| Varieties: | A gold or "golden" form is widely traded, and the common name golden pencilfish attaches to the species generally, which causes some confusion between the wild-type fish and selected stock. A red form and various farm selections appear, but there are no formally established strains. Most stock is commercially bred, which is part of why this species is both cheap and consistently available. Within the genus, the alternatives are worth knowing. N. marginatus, the dwarf pencilfish, is the smallest at 25 mm. N. mortenthaleri, the coral red pencilfish, is the most striking and needs genuine blackwater. N. eques swims permanently at a 45-degree angle. N. trifasciatus and N. espei are further options for a soft-water tank. Beckford's is the largest, hardiest and most adaptable of them, and the sensible first pencilfish — the others reward the experience gained on this one. |
| Lifespan: | 3-5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:41 L
- Substrate:Dark substrate; densely planted with floating cover
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Low to moderate (gentle flow)
Beckford's Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi) is a species of fish in the family Lebiasinidae. It is native to South America (Amazon basin and the Guianas). Beckford's pencilfish, also sold as the golden pencilfish, is the hardy one — the pencilfish to start with, and the most widely available of the group. It reaches 65 mm standard length, which makes it the largest of the commonly kept Nannostomus, and its water tolerance is correspondingly wide: pH 5.0 to 8.0 and 1 to 15 dGH, where most of its relatives want soft blackwater and nothing else. A displaying male is a considerably better-looking fish than a shop specimen suggests, with red at the fin bases and a dark lateral stripe over a golden body. It shares the family's oddity: after dark the horizontal stripe gives way to a cryptic vertically-barred pattern, on an internal rhythm that operates even in blind specimens.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 10+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Beckford's Pencilfish
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