Black-Winged Hatchetfish

Carnegiella marthae

Also known as Blackwing Hatchetfish

Animalia›Chordata›Characiformes›Gasteropelecidae

The Black-Winged Hatchetfish is a small, peaceful surface-dwelling fish native to South American waters, known for its distinctive wing-like pectoral fins and silvery body. These delicate fish are best kept in groups and prefer heavily planted tanks with calm water conditions. They are excellent for planted community aquariums but require careful handling due to their fragile nature.

Where it's from

Native to the Amazon, Essequibo and Orinoco river basins

Brazil, Guyana, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela

At a glance

Size: 1.5 in; 4 cm
Min tank: 10 gal; 38 L
Group: 6+
Temp: 75–82°F; 24–28°C
pH: 5.5-7.0
GH: 36–143 ppm; 2–8 dGH
Temperament: Peaceful
Swims: Top
Lifespan: 3-5 yrs

Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.

Care

Diet

Black-Winged Hatchetfish are carnivorous and prefer small live foods such as fruit flies, mosquito larvae, and small crustaceans. They will also accept high-quality frozen foods like daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes.

Behavior

These fish are active surface feeders that spend most of their time near the water's surface, using their large pectoral fins to glide across the water. They are schooling fish and become stressed when kept alone, displaying more natural behavior and vibrant coloration in groups of 6 or more. They are generally peaceful but may be preyed upon by larger fish.

Breeding

Breeding Black-Winged Hatchetfish in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums. They require very specific water conditions and spawning triggers that are challenging to replicate. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-caught or commercially bred in specialized facilities.

Tank mates

See all 6

Neon Tetra

Similar size and peaceful temperament, both prefer calm planted tanks

excellent

Cardinal Tetra

Peaceful schooling fish with compatible water parameter requirements

excellent

Rummy Nose Tetra

Non-aggressive schooling fish that thrive in similar conditions

excellent

Dwarf Gourami

Peaceful and small enough to coexist without predation risk

good

Otocinclus

Peaceful bottom-dweller that occupies different water zone

excellent

Fits a 10-gallon tank Peaceful

No state or federal restrictions on record.

Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.

The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it. Native range: Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CC BY 4.0); Lista Roja de la Fauna Venezolana 2015 (CC BY 4.0); Tedesco et al. 2017 (CC0).