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Gasteropelecus sternicla
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Gasteropelecus sternicla

Common Names: Common Hatchet
Common Hatchetfish
River Hatchet
Silver Hatchet
Synonyms: Clupea sternicla
Family: Gasteropelecidae
Category: Characins
Distribution: America - South; Found throughout South America in Brazil, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela (Amazon).
Main Ecosystem: Stream; Stream
Temperament: Peaceful; Very peaceful fish and a fast swimmer.
Diet: Carnivore; Carnivore
Care: Will take a variety of food including flake, bloodworms, small flies, tubifex worms, mosquito larvae. This fish should be kept in shoals of 6+ and with various floating plants to make them feel safer. Make sure you keep the aquarium tightly covered as these fish can/will jump. They seem to appreciate very strong current as that found in a river tank.
pH:
6 - 7.5
Temperature:
23°C - 27°C
73°F - 81°F
Hardness:
6 dH - 15 dH
Potential Size: Male: 4cm (1.6")
Female: 4cm (1.6")
Water Region: Surface; Surface
Activity: Diurnal; Diurnal
Gender: Females are usually larger than males. Males are slimmer.
Breeding: It is thought that this fish will breed in low pH and soft water. Feed mosquito larvae and small flies, the eggs will be deposited on leaves of floating plants.
Variants:
Comments: The Silver Hatchet naturally jump out of the water so a tight fitting hood is required.
Main Colours: Silver, Black
Markings: Striped Horizontal
Mouth: Upturned
Tail: Concave
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Image Credit: ;Tom Park (Blue Acara)
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