Vital Statistics

Description

Origin: Guyana, Brazil

Size: 2.5 inches total length

Temperament: peaceful, somewhat timid

Sociability: schooler

Breeding: egg scatterer

Sexing: females have more rounded belly; males more colorful

Diet: omnivorous, but appreciates occasional live foods

Water Chemistry: pH 5.8–7.5; dH 5–15

Temperature: 75–79°F

Above: male golden pencilfish

Like others in the genus, the golden pencilfish tends to prefer planted tanks without excessive light and with little water movement. Pencils do well with small tetras, but can be easily bullied. So tankmates need to be chosen carefully. Plenty of hiding places and a dark substrate will help them to feel right at home. Breeding golden pencilfish is not problematic so long as they are given slightly acid, soft water and conditioned well. In fact, this species is one of the few pencilfish being bred commercially. Conditioning is best done by separating the male and female and feeding heavily on small live foods for a couple of weeks. After conditioning, reunite the breeders in the prepared spawning tank with a mass of Java moss as a spawning medium. Since pencils will devour their eggs if given the chance, remove the adults once spawning completes. The fry will feed on the smallest of infusoria. So an aged tank for raising the fry will be of great help.