Golden Pencilfish care

Nannostomus beckfordi · Freshwater · Intermediate level care

A slim, peaceful fish that swims near the surface.

Smallest tank15 gallons

Adult size2.5 inches

Temperature75 to 79°F

pH5.5 to 7

GroupA group of 8 or more

TemperamentPeaceful

SwimsTop of the tank

Lives4 to 6 years

Watch for: Their tiny mouths cannot compete with fast eaters, so feed small foods.

Feeding

Twice a day. A small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes. Micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, crushed flakes.

Fish that pass every check with Golden Pencilfish in a 40 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.

Tinfoil Barb: Tinfoil Barb grows big enough to eat Golden Pencilfish.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow: White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Golden Pencilfish need different water temperatures.
German Blue Ram: German Blue Ram and Golden Pencilfish need different water temperatures.
Discus: Discus and Golden Pencilfish need different water temperatures.
Convict Cichlid: Convict Cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful Golden Pencilfish.
Oscar: Oscar grows big enough to eat Golden Pencilfish.
Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Golden Pencilfish.
Severum: Severum grows big enough to eat Golden Pencilfish.

What size tank does a Golden Pencilfish need?

At least 15 gallons for a group of 8. Adults grow to about 2.5 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.

What temperature does a Golden Pencilfish like?

75 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 5.5 to 7. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.

How many Golden Pencilfish should I keep together?

Keep 8 or more. They feel safe in a group and show better color and behavior.

What do Golden Pencilfish eat?

Micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, crushed flakes. Feed twice a day: a small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes.

Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.