Silver hatchetfish

The silver hatchetfish originally comes from South America, where it can be found in densely vegetated streams and swamps. Its eponymous extended hatchet belly is visually very striking, making it a very interesting fish.

Care in the aquarium

In the aquarium, this tetra should find soft, clean and oxygen-rich water as well as sufficient plants. This type of fish lives mainly in the upper part of the aquarium and likes to hide in the roots of floating plants. An edge length of 120cm or a filling volume of around 150 liters for a tank that is not fully filled and a group of 6-8 animals are the minimum. Since Gasteropelecus sternicla tends to jump, we recommend a cover and a slightly lower water level. It can be kept in company with calmer and peaceful fish. He is quite sensitive to stress and incorrect water values.

Feeding

As a carnivorous surface fish, the silver hatchetfish feeds largely on insects that fall on the water. In the aquarium, too, it should be fed mainly with live food that is close to the water surface. Mosquito larvae and daphnia, but also fruit flies, are ideal for this.

Sexual characteristics and breeding

When sexually mature, the female silver hatchetfish are somewhat larger and fuller than their male counterparts. We currently have no information about breeding in the aquarium.