Tank setup
A minimum 40L aquarium suits Beckford's Pencilfish. Provide hiding spots and stable water — this species thrives in a well-filtered community setup.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Beckford's Pencilfish.
Avg. price
R65
Community Marketplace
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
Beckford's Pencilfish, also known as the Golden Pencilfish, is a small, slender fish known for its subtle beauty and peaceful demeanor. It features a prominent dark horizontal stripe running from its snout to its tail, often overlaid with iridescent gold or reddish hues, particularly in males. They are a shoaling species that prefers a heavily planted tank with dim lighting and soft, acidic water to mimic their native South American blackwater habitats. A fascinating trait is their 'dipping' swimming style, where they often hold their bodies at a slight angle, seemingly browsing for micro-prey among plants.
Key traits
peaceful
schooling
community
nano
easy
omnivore
breeds in captivity
shoaling
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Beckford's Pencilfish healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 5–7 and 22–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Beckford's Pencilfish is omnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for freshwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Beckford's Pencilfish is generally peaceful. Keep in a group where possible for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in freshwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Beckford's Pencilfish vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Settling this fish in?
Condition the tap water, seed the filter, test through the first weeks — most early losses trace back to one of those.
3-PIECE KIT
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R45–45 · Average: R45
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
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Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Beckford's Pencilfish, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
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Pristella maxillaris
In a 40L+ tank
- Often kept together
Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
In a 75L+ tank
- Often kept together
Giant Gourami
Osphronemus goramy
In a 1000L+ tank
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Crystal Black Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis var. 'Crystal Black'
In a 40L+ tank
- Often kept together
Corydoras Julii
Corydoras julii
In a 40L+ tank
- Often kept together
Red-bellied Pacu
Piaractus brachypomus
In a 1500L+ tank
- Often kept together
Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Orange Sakura'
In a 40L+ tank
- Often kept together
Black Phantom Tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
In a 40L+ tank