Common hatchetfish
Encyclopedia
The common hatchetfish or river hatchetfish, Gasteropelecus sternicla, is a tropical fish
belonging to the freshwater hatchetfish
family (Gasteropelecidae). Originating in South America
in the Peru
vian and middle Amazon
, the Guianas and Venezuela
, it grows to about 2.5 inches (6.5 cm). The fish gets its name from its relatively large protruding belly which resembles a hatchet
. Hatchetfish will often jump out of the water when alarmed, propelled by their large, winglike pectoral fins. They may also jump to catch small aerial insects.
6-7, a water hardness of up to 15.0 dGH
, and an ideal temperature range of (23-27 °C (73-81 °F) . As carnivore
s, they will readily eat many types of small annelid
worms, insect
s, and crustaceans, and they will also eat standard flake foods. They have a reputation for being greedy fish.
Because of their natural tendency to jump when alarmed, they may jump out of aquarium tanks. To prevent this, the top must either be completely sealed, or the water level lowered so the edges of the tank extend further upwards than the fish are capable of jumping.
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
belonging to the freshwater hatchetfish
Freshwater hatchetfish
The freshwater hatchetfishes are a family, Gasteropelecidae, of ray-finned fish. The common hatchetfish is the most popular member among fish keeping hobbyists...
family (Gasteropelecidae). Originating in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
in the Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vian and middle Amazon
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
, the Guianas and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, it grows to about 2.5 inches (6.5 cm). The fish gets its name from its relatively large protruding belly which resembles a hatchet
Hatchet
A hatchet is a single-handed striking tool with a sharp blade used to cut and split wood...
. Hatchetfish will often jump out of the water when alarmed, propelled by their large, winglike pectoral fins. They may also jump to catch small aerial insects.
Hatchetfish in aquaria
The river hatchetfish is a schooling species best kept in groups of five or more that spends most of its time in the top-level of the water where it searches for food. These fish are peaceful towards other fishes, but frequently bicker among themselves. Typical lifespan in captivity is around five years. They come from streams in a tropical climate and prefer water at pHPH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
6-7, a water hardness of up to 15.0 dGH
DGH
Degrees of general hardness is a unit of water hardness, specifically of general hardness.General hardness is a measure of the concentration of metal divalent ions such as calcium and magnesium per volume of water...
, and an ideal temperature range of (23-27 °C (73-81 °F) . As carnivore
Carnivore
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...
s, they will readily eat many types of small annelid
Annelid
The annelids , formally called Annelida , are a large phylum of segmented worms, with over 17,000 modern species including ragworms, earthworms and leeches...
worms, insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s, and crustaceans, and they will also eat standard flake foods. They have a reputation for being greedy fish.
Because of their natural tendency to jump when alarmed, they may jump out of aquarium tanks. To prevent this, the top must either be completely sealed, or the water level lowered so the edges of the tank extend further upwards than the fish are capable of jumping.