How to Breed Golden Pencilfish

Golden Pencilfish are a small freshwater fish native to South America and distributed around the world as colorful additions to freshwater fish tanks. The species is relatively easy to care for as it does not require much space or unique water conditions; it's a peaceable fish that usually gets along well with its tank-mates. Breeding is not a complicated process, and tank owners sometimes find that their pencilfish have reproduced without their knowledge. If newborns are left on their own, they are often fish food to their tank-mates. Since the babies are so vulnerable, successful breeding requires some forethought and planning.

Things You'll Need

  • Breeding tank
  • Sponge filter
  • Plants
  • Mesh
  • Water heater
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a breeding tank. A breeding tank is important to separate the new fry from other adults in the general tank that might snack on them. A breeding tank should be at least 12 inches by 12 inches by 18 inches.

    • 2

      Set up the breeding tank. The breeding tank has very specific needs: the temperature should be between 80 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and the water pH between 5.5 and 6.5. There should be a sponge filter to prevent the small fry from being sucked into the filter and dim lighting.

    • 3

      Add elements for the eggs. In the wild, a female golden pencilfish will attach her eggs to plants. You can replicate this in you breeding tank by adding java or breeding moss to the tank. If you are worried about the female spawning when you are not around and the adults eating the eggs, you can add a mesh to the bottom of the tank. That allows the eggs to sink below the mesh where the larger adults cannot reach them.

    • 4

      Move one female and one male to the breeding tank. Select a healthy fat female and a brightly colored male and carefully move them to the breeding tank. If the female already has eggs inside her she will spawn within 24 hours.

    • 5

      Remove the adults from the breeding tank. Golden pencilfish are not above eating their young. As soon as you notice eggs in the breeding tank, remove the adults to prevent cannibalism.

    • 6

      Feed the fry infusoria until they are large enough for microworms or brine shrimp nauplii. The eggs will hatch in 24 to 36 hours and the fry will be free swimming 3 to 4 days after that. Since they are so small, they will be unable to eat standard commercial fish food and should be fed a special diet of microscopic protozoans called infusoria.

    • 7

      Move fish back to communal tank. Once the fry are almost full grown, you can move them back into the tank with their parents. Do not move the fry too soon; they should be almost the same size as most of the fish in the tank, or they may be injured in attacks from other fish.