No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Silver Hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus sternicla
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Gasteropelecidae
📍 Amazon, Orinoco & Guiana, South America
Unique keel-shaped body adapted for surface dwelling. Can leap out of water to escape predators — a tight lid is essential. Prefers surface insects and small live food.
Care Guide
Diet
Silver Hatchetfish are carnivorous surface feeders that prefer small live foods such as fruit flies, mosquito larvae, and small insects. Supplement with high-quality flake food and frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small amounts once daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes.
Behavior
These fish are highly social and must be kept in schools of at least 6 individuals to reduce stress and encourage natural schooling behavior. They are active surface dwellers that spend most of their time near the water's edge, occasionally leaping out of the water to escape perceived threats or catch insects. They are peaceful and non-aggressive toward other species.
Breeding
Breeding Silver Hatchetfish in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require very specific conditions including soft, acidic water, dense vegetation for egg scattering, and careful water quality management. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first weeks of life.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water parameter requirements make them ideal companions
Slightly larger than Neon Tetras but equally peaceful; thrive in the same soft, acidic conditions
Peaceful schooling fish with compatible water needs; occupy mid-water zones without competing for surface food
Peaceful dwarf cichlid that occupies lower water zones; compatible temperature and pH requirements
Closely related species with identical habitat needs; can be housed together in the same school
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise water temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt or ich medication; maintain excellent water quality
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality through frequent water changes, reduce stocking density, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure pristine conditions as this species is sensitive to poor water quality
Columnaris (Mouth Fungus)
White or grayish coating around mouth and gills, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite
Perform daily 50% water changes, use antibacterial medication, isolate affected fish if possible; maintain optimal water parameters as stress triggers this disease
Stress-Related Diseases
Loss of color, clamped fins, erratic swimming, reduced appetite, susceptibility to infections
Ensure minimum school size of 6 fish, provide tight-fitting lid to prevent jumping, maintain stable water parameters, reduce tank disturbances; this species is highly sensitive to stress
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Silver Hatchetfish to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Quick Facts
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- diet
- carnivore/surface
- maxSize
- 2.5 inches
- minTankSize
- 20 gallons
- temperature
- 73–82°F (23–28°C)
Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C