Can Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap Live Together?
Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap are not recommended as tank mates due to conflicting pH requirements and piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates.. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.
At a Glance
Can your tank handle Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap?
Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.
Behaviour & Temperament
Beckford's Pencilfish is a peaceful species (2/10), while Electric Blue Hap is semi-aggressive (7/10). This notable difference means Electric Blue Hap may occasionally assert dominance over Beckford's Pencilfish.
Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap both frequent the Middle (Open Water) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.
There is a critical concern: the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..
Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.
Worth noting: Beckford's Pencilfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.
Water Parameters
The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0°C) for optimal comfort.
The pH requirements of Beckford's Pencilfish (5–7.5) and Electric Blue Hap (7.8–8.6) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.
For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.
Tank Setup
To house Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap together, plan for an aquarium of at least 200 litres with a minimum length of 120 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.
Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.
Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating, Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.
Both species do well with low (still water) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.
Why This Pairing Usually Fails in Practice
Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.
Suitable Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap.
55 Gallon Standard
60 Gallon Breeder
75 Gallon Standard
90 Gallon Standard
125 Gallon Standard
150 Gallon High
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap live together?
No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities — such as critical behavioural conflicts — make cohabitation unsafe.
What size tank do Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap need?
A minimum of 200 litres (tank length at least 120 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.
What water temperature is best for Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap together?
Keep the aquarium between 24°C and 28°C. A target of around 26.0°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.
Are Beckford's Pencilfish or Electric Blue Hap aggressive?
Beckford's Pencilfish is peaceful (2/10) and Electric Blue Hap is semi-aggressive (7/10). The gap in aggression levels means the calmer fish may experience stress from the more assertive one.
What pH do Beckford's Pencilfish and Electric Blue Hap need?
Their pH requirements do not overlap. Beckford's Pencilfish prefers 5–7.5, while Electric Blue Hap needs 7.8–8.6. This makes them incompatible in the same water chemistry.
How do I manage Electric Blue Hap's territorial behaviour?
Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives Electric Blue Hap space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding décor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.
Shared setup supplies
We may earn from qualifying purchases
Guidarium Editorial Desk
Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.
- Last reviewed
- May 4, 2026
- Last updated
- May 4, 2026
- Issues or corrections?
- Contact the editorial team
Related Comparisons
Beckford's Pencilfish & Dwarf Pencilfish
·
Beckford's Pencilfish & Bentos Tetra
·
Beckford's Pencilfish & Black Neon Tetra
·
Beckford's Pencilfish & Black Phantom Tetra
·
Beckford's Pencilfish & Bloodfin Tetra
·
Beckford's Pencilfish & Cardinal Tetra
·
Electric Blue Hap & Afra Cichlid
·
Electric Blue Hap & African Jewel Cichlid
·
Electric Blue Hap & Altolamprologus Calvus
·
Electric Blue Hap & Altolamprologus Compressiceps
·
Electric Blue Hap & Auratus Cichlid (Mbuna)
·
Electric Blue Hap & Aurora Yellow Mbuna
·