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Common HatchetfishSilver Hatchetfish ~ River HatchetfishFamily: GasteropelecidaeHatchetfishWFCh_P218.jpg) Gasteropelecus sterniclaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More i think they are strange but interesting fish i wouldnt mind taking one to show and tell karen weither The Common Hatchetfish has a body shape that looks like the head of a hatchet, thus the common name "hatchetfish"!Common Hatchetfish Contents The Common Hatchetfish are very peaceful, even timid fish, and make a good community tank mate. They like to hang at the surface of the water and they like to jump, so keep a good top on the aquarium. These fish will appreciate some floating plants, but with their mouth situated up on top of their body you can see that the Common Hatchetfish must be used to eating at the surface. Be sure to provide some clear areas on the surface for them to feed! They are prone to ich. The Common Hatchetfish are often sold as a Silver Hatchetfish, which is a misnomer though a common mistake. The actual Silver Hatchetfish is another species, Thoracocharax securis. The confusion comes from them being very similar. The biggest difference is that the true Silver Hatchetfish grow much larger, getting up to 3 1/2" (9.1 cm) which is a full inch longer than the Common Hatchetfish. Another difference is that the Silver Hatchetfish does not have the pronounced black horizontal line seen on the Common Hatchetfish. The hatchetfishes of the family Gasteropelecidae leap from the water and fly through the air, flapping their large pectoral fins to catch flying insects.. They are generally accepted as being the only true "flyingfish" as they are the only fish that move their pectoral fins to aid in their flight!
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Common Hatchetfish, also known as the Silver Hatchetfish or River Hatchetfish, was described by Linnaeus in 1758. They are found in South America in Brazil and the southern tributaries of the Amazon. In Guyana and Surinam they are found in smaller streams with plenty of vegetation.
- Scientific Name: Gasteropelecus sternicla
- Social Grouping: Groups
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
The Common or Silver Hatchetfish is a deep bodied fish with a 'hatchet' type shape to it. They are basically a white or silvery looking color with a pronounced black horizontal line running throught the center of the body. They have a mouth situated close to the top for feeding at the surface.
- Maximum Size: 2.5 inches (6.35 cm)
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy - This fish is highly susceptible to Ich particularly when introduced to a new a aquarium. It is suggested that new purchases be kept in a quarantine tank.
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
With their mouth situated up on top of their body you can see they must be used to eating surface foods such as small vinegar flies and mosquito larvae. In the aquarium the Common Hatchetfish will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh and flake foods as long as it is on the surface of the water. To keep a good balance give them a protein such as brine shrimp (either live or frozen), fruit flies, or blood worms everyday.
- Diet Type: Omnivore - Their diet should be supplemented with live foods.
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly
- Minimum Tank Size: 15 gal (57 L) - The tank should be tightly sealed as this fish is apt to jump out of the tank if provided the opportunity.
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 72.0 - 81.0° F (22.2 - 27.2° C)
- Range ph: 6.0-7.5
- Hardness Range: 2 - 15 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: Top - The Common Hatchetfish will swim at the top of the aquarium. Notice how the mouth is at the top of the body.
The Common Hatchetfish are generally a good community fish.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful - This fish is relatively shy so it should be spared the company of hostile tankmates. It must absolutely be kept in a school.
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive: (): Monitor
- Aggressive: (): Threat
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
- Plants: Safe
It is hard to tell, but if viewed from above the female is more plump.
The Common Hatchetfish are egg layers, but they have not been successfully bred in captivity. The Marbled Hatchetfish will breed quite easily though. See the general description of how to breed Characins in Breeding Freshwater Fish.
- Ease of Propagation: Unknown
The Common Hatchetfish is readily available. They are somewhat more expensive than the Marbled Hatchetfish but are also a hardier species which makes them worth the extra price.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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