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Marbled HatchetfishRiver HatchetfishFamily: Gasteropelecidae Carnegiella strigataLatest Reader Comment - See More I have had really bad trouble with my fish, he keeps attacking my other fish and everything that is in the tank. Apart from that he is really good Lauren With its unusual 'hatchet' shaped body, the Marbled Hatchetfish is a very unique looking fish!Marbled Hatchetfish Contents The Marble Hatchetfish is a River Hatchetfish. Though quite original looking, it is very similar the Common Hatchetfish. Its differences are in a distinctive marbled coloring and being smaller. The Marbled Hatchetfish are a peaceful community fish, but not quite as hardy as the Common Hatchetfish. They will eat a flake food, but cannot survive on it alone. They must be fed proteins such as mosquito larvae and bloodworms. Because they are prone to ich, it is recommended that they be kept in a quarantine tank for a couple of weeks before introducing them to a community aquarium. Marbled Hatchetfish are also a schooling fish and should be kept in groups of 5 or more. 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 Marbled Hatchetfish must be used to eating at the surface. Be sure to provide some clear areas on the surface for them to feed! 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 Marbled Hatchetfish or River Hatchetfish, was described by Günther in 1864. They are found in South America throughout the Amazon River basin, Lower, middle and upper, as well as the Caqueta River in Colombia.
The Marbled Hatchetfish species Carnegiella strigata strigata are found in Iquitos, Peru. A similar hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata fasciata are found Guyana. The fish from Guyana are supposed to be easier to keep but it is difficult to tell the difference between the species.
- Scientific Name: Carnegiella strigata
- Social Grouping: Groups - It is essential to keep hatchetfish in schools of 5 or more fish.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
The Marbled Hatchetfish is a small deep bodied fish with a 'hatchet' type shape to it. They are basically a white color with a black marble pattern which looks like black and white stripes running diagonally across them. They have a mouth situated close to the top for feeding at the surface.
- Maximum Size: 1.5 inches (3.81 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 are adapted to eating at the surface of the water. In the wild they will eat foods such as small vinegar flies and mosquito larvae. In the aquarium the Marbled Hatchetfish will generally eat all kinds of foods as long as it is on the surface of the water, however they will not survive with just a flake food. To keep a good balance give them a protein such as Black mosquito larvae, fruit flies, blood worms, or brine shrimp (either live or frozen) 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: 75.0 - 82.0° F (23.9 - 27.8° C)
- Range ph: 5.5-7.5
- Hardness Range: 2 - 20 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: Top - Marbled Hatchetfish will swim at the top of the aquarium. Notice how the mouth is at the top of the body.
The Marbled Hatchetfish are always 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: (): Threat
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
- Plants: Safe
It is hard to tell, but if viewed from above the female is more plump and the eggs may be seen when the female is about to spawn.
Recommended conditions: Ph 5.5-6.5, 5° dGH.
The Marbled Hatchetfish are egg layers. Add peat extract to darken the water until it is almost opaque and keep the lighting subdued. Feed small flying insects to induce them to spawn. (Fruit flies or Black mosquito larvae will work).
The Marbled Hatchetfish will go through a long courtship after which the female will deposit eggs on plants and roots. The parents should be removed after spawning. The fry will hatch after 30 hours and become free swimming in 5 days. They must be fed finely powdered flake food (or similar; see baby fish foods) for the first 2 or three days but will eat baby brine thereafter.
See the description of how to breed Characins in Breeding Freshwater Fish.
- Ease of Propagation: Moderate
The Marbled Hatchetfish is readily available and is less expensive than the Silver Hatchetfish.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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