Silver Hatchetfish Care Guide
Gasteropelecus levis is a freshwater hatchetfish from the lower Amazon basin, a surface-dwelling schooling species that needs a tightly covered tank.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Gasteropelecus levis is a freshwater hatchetfish in the family Gasteropelecidae. According to FishBase it inhabits the lower Amazon River basin in Brazil. The body is strongly compressed laterally, with dark and gold lines running along the flank, and the deep keel-shaped chest that gives hatchetfishes their name. It is a pelagic, surface-oriented fish reported as low in fishing vulnerability.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gasteropelecidae
- Genus: Gasteropelecus
- Scientific name: Gasteropelecus levis (Eigenmann, 1909)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the lower Amazon basin of Brazil, where it occupies open, pelagic surface water. As a member of the freshwater hatchetfishes it stays close to the surface in the wild, taking insects from the air-water interface.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- A tightly fitting lid is essential — hatchetfishes leap from the surface
Diet
Gasteropelecus levis is carnivorous. FishBase lists worms, crustaceans and insects among its natural foods. In the aquarium it accepts floating dried foods, but small live and frozen items such as Daphnia, Artemia and other surface insects better suit a fish adapted to feeding at the waterline.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, top-dwelling schooling species best kept in groups of at least six. Suitable companions are calm mid- and lower-level fish such as larger tetras and Corydoras catfish. Boisterous or aggressive tankmates should be avoided, as the hatchetfish is easily startled and may injure itself jumping.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018). The species is used in both local fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Silver Hatchetfish Breeding Guide
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.