Red Beckford’s Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi 'red')

Add a vibrant splash of color and unique personality to your aquascape with the Red Beckford’s Pencilfish. This stunning color morph of the classic Beckford’s Pencilfish is a favorite among hobbyists for its intense ruby-red coloration and fascinating swimming behavior. Known for their "pencil-like" shape and horizontal swimming style, these peaceful schooling fish are the perfect addition to any planted community aquarium.

Quick Overview

• Origin: South America (Amazon Basin, Guyana, and Suriname)

• Care Level: Easy to Intermediate

• Temperament: Peaceful; Shoaling

• Maximum Size: 2.5 inches (6.5 cm)

• Diet: Omnivore

Natural Habitat & Origin

The Red Beckford’s Pencilfish originates from the slow-moving rivers, swamps, and flooded forests of South America. They are naturally found in "blackwater" environments characterized by high tannin levels, soft water, and dense overhanging vegetation.

Aquarium Care & Environment

To see these fish at their best, a planted aquarium is highly recommended. The dark greens of live plants provide a beautiful contrast to their deep red bodies and make them feel secure.

• Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a small school.

• Water Conditions: They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral water. Aim for a pH between 6.0 – 7.5 and a temperature range of 72°F – 82°F.

• Setup: Use driftwood, dried leaf litter (like Indian Almond leaves), and floating plants to mimic their natural habitat. Dimmer lighting will encourage bolder behavior and more intense coloration.

Diet & Feeding

Red Beckford’s Pencilfish are omnivores with small mouths, so they require appropriately sized food. They are primarily top-to-mid-water feeders.

• Recommended Foods: High-quality micro-granules, crushed flakes, and frozen or live treats such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and cyclops.

Social Behavior & Tank Mates

These are social fish that must be kept in groups of at least 6 to 10 individuals. Keeping them in a school reduces stress and allows males to display their best colors during harmless "sparring" matches.

• Compatible Mates: Ideal for community tanks with other peaceful species like Neon Tetras, Corydoras Catfish, Dwarf Gouramis, Harlequin Rasboras, and peaceful Dwarf Cichlids (like Apistogramma). Avoid large or aggressive tank mates that might see them as a snack.

Breeding

Breeding the Red Beckford’s Pencilfish is achievable for the dedicated hobbyist. They are egg-scatterers and do not provide parental care.

• The Setup: A separate breeding tank with soft, acidic water and plenty of fine-leaved plants (like Java Moss) is essential.

• The Process: After spawning, the adults should be removed to prevent them from eating the eggs. The fry are very small and will require infusoria or liquid fry food as their first meal.

Why Choose Red Beckford’s Pencilfish?

Beyond their beauty, these fish offer a unique "night mode"—they actually change their color pattern at night to a barred camouflage to hide from predators! If you are looking for a hardy, colorful, and active schooling fish, the Red Beckford’s Pencilfish is an exceptional choice.

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.
• We ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish. 
• Unless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.