Silver Hatchetfish Breeding Guide

Breeding of Gasteropelecus levis is undocumented; it probably spawns like the marbled hatchetfish. A tightly sealed cover and soft water are essential.

Overview

Gasteropelecus levis is a freshwater hatchetfish found in the lower Amazon river basin in the state of Para, Brazil, including the lower Tocantins and Guama rivers. Seriously Fish records a size of 30-35 mm SL. It is a surface-dwelling schooling species; like all Gasteropelecidae it can leap from the water using powerful pectoral-fin muscles, so a tightly sealed cover is essential (Wikipedia).

Sexing

Seriously Fish notes that females are noticeably rounder-bodied than males when full of eggs. No other reliable sexing method is described.

Conditioning

This species naturally consumes insects, crustaceans and worms and can be reluctant to take dried foods initially, so offer frozen and live items such as bloodworm, Daphnia and gut-loaded fruit flies. Documented parameters are 20-28 C, pH 5.0-7.5 and hardness 18-215 ppm (Seriously Fish). At least six individuals are needed for the fish to settle.

Common Challenges

With no confirmed spawning data, breeders can only extrapolate from related surface-spawning hatchets. The species' nervousness, surface orientation and the strong tendency to jump complicate any controlled spawning attempt.