Common Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus sternicla) Care Guide
The most commonly kept hatchetfish species with a bright silver body and deep keel-shaped belly. An exclusive surface dweller that feeds on insects at the water surface.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Gasteropelecus sternicla is a species in the family Gasteropelecidae. The most commonly kept hatchetfish species with a bright silver body and deep keel-shaped belly. An exclusive surface dweller that feeds on insects at the water surface. Requires a tight-fitting lid as it readily jumps when startled.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gasteropelecidae
- Genus: Gasteropelecus
- Scientific name: Gasteropelecus sternicla
- Other names: Silver Hatchetfish, River Hatchetfish
- Origin: South America, Amazon Basin, Guyana
Habitat
Widely distributed across the Amazon and Orinoco basins and the Guianas. Inhabits surface waters of slow streams and floodplains. Like other hatchetfishes, it is a strong surface-skimmer that can leap clear of the water; a single black lateral stripe distinguishes it from the marbled species.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 23-27 °C
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Adult size: 3-4 cm
- Lifespan: 2-5 years
- Recommended group size: ≥ 6
- Difficulty: beginner
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: top
- Compatible tank mates: Neon Tetra, Corydoras, Harlequin Rasbora, Cherry Shrimp
- Avoid with: Oscar, Aggressive Cichlids, Large Predators
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
- Breeding difficulty: advanced
Common Hatchetfish Breeding Guide
Overview
The common hatchetfish, Gasteropelecus sternicla, is a widespread South American surface fish whose aquarium reproduction is essentially unknown. Sources note only that it probably breeds in a similar fashion to the marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata, as an egg-scatterer; no verified captive-breeding protocol is on record.
Sexing
The only practical sexing clue is body shape: females are noticeably rounder-bodied than males when full of eggs. There are no reliable colour or finnage differences to distinguish the sexes.
Breeding Setup
In the absence of a proven method, conditions should reflect the species' soft-water origins and surface-dwelling habits, with floating cover and gentle filtration. Reported maintenance parameters are a temperature of 20-28 degrees C, pH 5.0-7.5 and hardness 18-215 ppm.
Common Challenges
The fundamental obstacle is that there is no documented aquarium spawning to copy. The species is peaceful but nervous and shy, will not settle without a group of at least half a dozen conspecifics, and competes poorly for food with boisterous tankmates, all of which make it difficult to bring into and maintain breeding condition. Until reliable accounts appear, any spawning attempt is exploratory rather than following an established procedure.