Golden Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi)
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
- Live Arrival Guarantee
- All our live fish, shrimp, snails are care with love and passion, when through minimum of 14 days quarantined and shipped from Splashy Fish facility in Springfield, Virginia, USA
This is only apply to live fish order.
Live Arrival Guarantee:
Benefit from our extensive experience in shipping live fish. In 2021, our records indicated a mere 0.5% dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate for all live fish orders, compared to the industry standard of 1.5%. These numbers translate to only 5 out of 1000 orders experiencing DOA fish.
At Splashy Fish, customer satisfaction is our priority. That's why we provide a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all animals shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Please note - Splashy Fish reserves the right to void Live Arrival Guarantee protection under the following circumstances:
- The customer has chosen USPS First Class Mail as a shipping method.
- The shipping address is a PO Box address
- The order was refused delivery by the customer.
- If the order is returned to the sender for any reason. For instance, an incorrect shipping address, an undeliverable address, etc.
- The order was held for pick up at USPS, UPS, and FedEx offices for longer than 24 hours after the last update on the tracking number.
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not include all the requirements mentioned below
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim is made after the claim period mentioned below.
- The animals are not in their original packaging
Live Arrival Guarantee Claim Period:
For Live Fish and other invertebrates: one and a half hours (1.5 hours) after the posted delivery time.
For Snails: 48 hours after the posted delivery time.
Steps to claim Splashy Fish's Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Take a picture of the shipping box and the shipping label.
- For live fish and other invertebrates: Please provide two pictures of each bag (containing the dead fish) upon arrival. Ensure the images display the bag in its original, unopened condition with the original rubber band intact
- For Snails: Position the snail in one corner of the tank. If the snail does not move within 48 hours, please take several pictures of the snail's opening
- Send an email to DOA@splashyfishstore.com with the subject line: DOA and Your Order Number, or message us on social media.
- In the body of the email, include your tracking number.
- The claim must be sent within the claim period mentioned above.
After submitting the required information, please allow us 1-3 business days to determine the cause of the issue. If the claim is valid and approved by our team, you will
- Receive a store credit for future purchases, excluding the shipping cost, of the dead-on-arrival fish
If the Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not meet all listed requirements, Splashy Fish reserves the right to reject it.
Shipping live animals and plants is a complex process, and temperature plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and secure delivery of your order.
If the highest daytime temperature in your location and the lowest nighttime temperature here in Springfield, Virginia—where our facility is situated—fall below 40°F or exceed 90°F, we will proactively delay your order. This measure is taken to prioritize the well-being of the animals and plants.
For the safety of our living cargo and to protect your investment, we retain the right to suspend shipping as necessary due to extreme weather conditions. Our Splashy Fish team will assess the situation and determine if it is unsuitable to ship, considering the safety of the animals.
To stay informed or address any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Splashy Fish Support team via email at support@splashyfishstore.com.
Once our team prints and packs your order, we'll notify you via email. This notification will include your tracking number and the expected arrival day. If you opt for UPS 2 Day shipping, your package should arrive within 2 days after shipment. Similarly, if you choose UPS 1 Day, your order will reach you the day after it is shipped. In the case of orders containing only plants or dry goods, they may be shipped via USPS, provided that this is the selected shipping option during checkout.
We ship all of the customer orders from our warehouse located in Springfield, VA. We pack and ship our orders depending on the orders with the exception of someday we cannot ship out live fish.
All Orders: will be shipped out from Monday to Thursday each week for overnight shipping by UPS.
Sunday: (Splashy Day) Today is the day we let our hard-working team members and our fish to destress and ready for the following week's shipment.
For more information regarding about shipping please visit us our Shipping Policy and Schedule
Golden Pencilfish, a stunning color variant of Nannostomus beckfordi, originates from the slow-moving freshwater streams of South America, particularly in the Amazon Basin. With their slender bodies, iridescent golden hue, and signature horizontal stripe, these nano fish add a sleek, elegant touch to any aquarium setup. Their subtle flickering movements and peaceful schooling behavior make them a captivating species for hobbyists of all levels.
Often referred to as gold pencilfish, golden beckford pencilfish, or beckford's pencilfish, these freshwater fish are ideal for planted aquariums and community tanks. Their reflective scales shimmer beautifully under moderate lighting, especially when swimming in coordinated schools.
At our Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Golden Pencilfish for sale and other freshwater fish for sale are carefully selected and packed with love! Visit us to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for more betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, live aquatic plants for sale, and aquarium supplies.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS FISH:
- Coldwater Compatibility: No heater required! Golden Pencilfish thrive in room-temperature aquariums (60–72°F), making them a perfect option for cooler setups.
- Beginner-Friendly: These fish are hardy, undemanding, and adapt well to varied water parameters—ideal for beginner aquarists.
- Active Schooling Behavior: Golden Pencilfish display their best behavior and coloration in groups of 6 or more. Their tight schooling is mesmerizing to watch.
- Peaceful Temperament: Safe with small community fish, freshwater shrimp, and peaceful snails. A great addition to a calm, well-balanced tank.
- Nano Tank Friendly: Their small size and low bioload make them ideal for nano aquariums as small as 10 gallons.
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Tank Size: 10 gallons minimum
- Temperature: 60–72°F (15–22°C)
- pH Range: 6.0 – 8.0
- Water Hardness: 5 – 19 dGH
- Filtration: Sponge filter or gentle hang-on-back filter (HOB)
- Lighting: Moderate lighting enhances their golden sheen
CARE GUIDELINES:
- Diet: Golden Pencilfish are omnivorous but thrive on a protein-rich diet. Offer a variety of high-quality flakes, micro pellets, and live/frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and finely chopped Tubifex.
- Feeding Habits: With their small mouths, opt for fine-sized or crushed food. Feed small portions 1–2 times daily to support color intensity and immune health.
- Social Behavior: Peaceful and naturally schooling. Keep them in groups of at least 6 to promote activity, reduce stress, and allow natural behavior.
- Average Adult Size: 1.2 – 1.5 inches (3 – 4 cm)
Golden Pencilfish Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the lifespan of Golden Pencilfish?
Golden Pencilfish typically live for 3 to 5 years in a home aquarium when cared for properly. Their longevity depends heavily on stable water parameters, a high-quality diet, and a stress-free environment with plenty of hiding spots. Regular water changes and avoiding aggressive tank mates will help ensure they live a full, healthy life.
Are Golden Pencilfish peaceful fish?
Yes, Golden Pencilfish are known for their gentle and peaceful temperament, making them excellent community fish. They do not nip fins or show territorial behavior, so they are safe to house with shrimp, snails, and other non-aggressive nano species. Because of their calm nature, they are especially popular among aquarists looking to create a tranquil, visually pleasing tank environment.
Are Golden Pencilfish schooling fish?
Golden Pencilfish are indeed schooling fish and feel most secure when kept in groups of six or more. In a proper school, they display more vibrant colors, natural swimming patterns, and lower stress levels. Without companions, they may become shy or inactive, so it’s essential to keep them in groups to promote their overall well-being and natural behavior.
