Easy
Dwarf Pencilfish (Nannostomus marginatus)
20–26°C · pH 5–7.5 · 40L
£6.99
Peaceful red-gold pencilfish for planted community aquariums, best kept in a settled group with calm tank mates.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Nannostomus beckfordi
Red Golden Pencilfish are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Peaceful red-gold pencilfish for planted community aquariums, best kept in a settled group with calm tank mates.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Red Golden Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi "Red") is a calm South American schooling fish with warm gold body colour, a dark side stripe and red highlights in the fins. It is best shown in a planted aquarium where the group can settle, feed confidently and display natural behaviour.
| Scientific name | Nannostomus beckfordi |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 4-5 cm |
| Minimum aquarium | 60 litres or more for a group |
| Temperature | 23-28 C |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful, calm schooling fish |
| Diet | Small dry, frozen and live foods |
Keep Red Golden Pencilfish in a mature aquarium with plants, floating cover and open mid-to-upper swimming space. A group of six or more helps them feel secure; larger groups usually look better and behave more naturally. They dislike rough tank mates and sudden water swings.
Use gentle filtration and regular water changes. Soft to moderately hard freshwater suits them well, especially when the aquarium has shaded areas and calm feeding zones.
Offer small flakes, micro pellets, daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp and other fine foods. Their small mouths make food size important, so crush dry foods where needed and feed lightly.
Good companions include other calm pencilfish, small tetras and peaceful bottom fish. Compare with Three-Lined Pencilfish, Dwarf Pencilfish, Beckfordi Pencilfish and Coral Red Pencilfish. For a quiet tetra-style companion, see Green Neon Tetra.
Order Red Golden Pencilfish when your aquarium is mature, stable and ready for a peaceful group. Livestock is packed for dispatch across the UK and sent by a licensed live-animal courier where live-animal shipping applies. Livestock orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
For a pencilfish group, compare Three-Lined Pencilfish, Dwarf Pencilfish, Beckfordi Pencilfish, Coral Red Pencilfish.
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