Golden Pencil

The Golden Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi) is a small, peaceful freshwater fish characterized by a slender, pencil-like body, a prominent black lateral stripe from mouth to tail, and a reddish or golden hue along its flanks. While some males develop intense red stripes and a blue spot on their anal fin, the coloration can vary geographically and seasonally. They are schooling fish, thriving in groups of six or more, and are active in the middle levels of an aquarium.