{"product_id":"gold-pencilfish","title":"Gold Pencilfish","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAbout Gold Pencilfish\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGold Pencilfish are small, peaceful South American schooling fish known for their \u003cstrong\u003egolden-yellow body, dark horizontal markings and elegant pencil-shaped profile\u003c\/strong\u003e. They are an excellent choice for planted aquariums and peaceful community setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir slender body and subtle colouration make them particularly attractive when kept in a group. They tend to occupy the \u003cstrong\u003eupper and middle levels\u003c\/strong\u003e of the aquarium, often hovering among plants and hardscape rather than constantly swimming through open water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGold Pencilfish appreciate densely planted aquariums with floating plants and subdued lighting. Providing plenty of cover helps them feel secure and encourages more natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are peaceful but can display mild hierarchy and sparring behaviour between males. Keeping a group with plenty of visual barriers allows these interactions to occur naturally without becoming problematic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eNannostomus beckfordi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold Pencilfish \/ Beckford's Pencilfish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lebiasinidae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freshwater Schooling Fish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 4–5 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Intermediate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Group:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6+\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23–28°C\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.5–7.5\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft to Moderately Soft\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore \/ Micro-predator\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upper to Midwater\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted aquariums, community tanks, blackwater setups and peaceful tropical aquariums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many Gold Pencilfish should I keep?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep them in a group of \u003cstrong\u003eat least 6\u003c\/strong\u003e, although larger groups are preferable and allow more natural social behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Gold Pencilfish peaceful?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. They are peaceful community fish and are well suited to aquariums containing other small, non-aggressive species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat do Gold Pencilfish eat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey have relatively small mouths and appreciate small foods such as micro pellets, finely crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, daphnia and other appropriately sized frozen or live foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo Gold Pencilfish need a planted aquarium?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey don't strictly require live plants, but dense vegetation and floating plants provide excellent cover and help them feel secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan Gold Pencilfish live with shrimp?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, they can generally be kept with adult freshwater shrimp. However, they may eat very small shrimplets if they encounter them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping too few fish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePencilfish are social and display much more natural behaviour when maintained in a proper group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsing very bright lighting without cover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFloating plants and shaded areas help create a more comfortable environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping them with large or aggressive fish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTheir small size and peaceful nature make them unsuitable for aggressive community tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding food that is too large\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUse appropriately sized micro foods because of their small mouths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping the aquarium too bare\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlants, driftwood and other visual barriers provide security and encourage natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAbout Gold Pencilfish\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGold Pencilfish are small, peaceful South American schooling fish known for their \u003cstrong\u003egolden-yellow body, dark horizontal markings and elegant pencil-shaped profile\u003c\/strong\u003e. They are an excellent choice for planted aquariums and peaceful community setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir slender body and subtle colouration make them particularly attractive when kept in a group. They tend to occupy the \u003cstrong\u003eupper and middle levels\u003c\/strong\u003e of the aquarium, often hovering among plants and hardscape rather than constantly swimming through open water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGold Pencilfish appreciate densely planted aquariums with floating plants and subdued lighting. Providing plenty of cover helps them feel secure and encourages more natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are peaceful but can display mild hierarchy and sparring behaviour between males. Keeping a group with plenty of visual barriers allows these interactions to occur naturally without becoming problematic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eNannostomus beckfordi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold Pencilfish \/ Beckford's Pencilfish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lebiasinidae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freshwater Schooling Fish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 4–5 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Intermediate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Group:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6+\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23–28°C\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.5–7.5\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft to Moderately Soft\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore \/ Micro-predator\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upper to Midwater\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted aquariums, community tanks, blackwater setups and peaceful tropical aquariums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many Gold Pencilfish should I keep?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep them in a group of \u003cstrong\u003eat least 6\u003c\/strong\u003e, although larger groups are preferable and allow more natural social behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Gold Pencilfish peaceful?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. They are peaceful community fish and are well suited to aquariums containing other small, non-aggressive species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat do Gold Pencilfish eat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey have relatively small mouths and appreciate small foods such as micro pellets, finely crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, daphnia and other appropriately sized frozen or live foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo Gold Pencilfish need a planted aquarium?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey don't strictly require live plants, but dense vegetation and floating plants provide excellent cover and help them feel secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan Gold Pencilfish live with shrimp?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, they can generally be kept with adult freshwater shrimp. However, they may eat very small shrimplets if they encounter them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping too few fish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePencilfish are social and display much more natural behaviour when maintained in a proper group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsing very bright lighting without cover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFloating plants and shaded areas help create a more comfortable environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping them with large or aggressive fish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTheir small size and peaceful nature make them unsuitable for aggressive community tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding food that is too large\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUse appropriately sized micro foods because of their small mouths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping the aquarium too bare\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlants, driftwood and other visual barriers provide security and encourage natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48917535424651,"sku":null,"price":9.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/lc_OakI2NlKoLOtO95IimOOYGObdGH6gCs-9RX3QvkDtPsyDT1Q0-ilPN9RJMzxoPLt08Bi_P4iR6d6N8KHbkZ1PlBPAkiSFQ0_QZx8fr6xwc8Io3dpzzog9HyY4BYmRt9TW8RwNyALad6lJTIgYXAfXm3gLz3NWnOveW2Ht8-17dIyCR9ZfCv.jpg?v=1786692049","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/gold-pencilfish","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}