Beckford's pencilfish
Nannostomus beckfordi
FishFreshwater
Beckford's pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi) is a small fish of the family Lebiasinidae. It reaches up to 6 cm. Its body is elongated with a horizontal black stripe bordered by yellow or gold. It has a small upward-facing mouth. It is a schooling fish that must be kept in groups of at least 6. Very peaceful and enjoys densely planted tanks with subdued lighting. It feeds mainly on small invertebrates.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 5–7 |
| GH | 1–10 |
| KH | 1–5 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 15 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.3 |
Care
Difficulty2/5
Dietcarnivore
Min. tank40 L
Min. group6
Adult size6 cm
Lifespan4 ans
Temperamentpeaceful
Care notes
Tank of at least 40 L (nano possible). Temperature 24-28°C, pH 5.0-7.0, GH 1-10. Dark substrate, fine plants (Java moss, Cryptocorynes). Diet: micro pellets, brine shrimp, daphnia. Soft acidic water. Regular but moderate water changes.