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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | ;Tom Park (Blue Acara) |
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