Silver Hatchetfish Tropical Fish Information
Gasteropelecus sterniclaBehaviour Peaceful, surface dwelling
Typical size 5cm
Max size 6cm
Tank Area Top
Min Tank Size 75cm
Min Number in Tank 3
Temp Min: 23℃ Max: 28℃
Feeding Floating foods, flake, small live or frozen foods
pH Range 6-8
Hardness vs,s,m,h,vh
Silver Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus sternicla)
Silver Hatchetfish Tropical Fish Learn all about the Silver Hatchetfish's feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. Use our fish community creator tool to plan your tank set up and ensure that the Silver Hatchetfish is the right fish for your aquarium.
The common hatchetfish is often confused with, and sold as, the silver hatchet. Silver hatchet fish (Thoracocharax securis) are larger and have a less uniformly curved underside. Common hatchet fish are good aquarium fish providing the aquarium has some cover at the surface and is free from sudden disturbances. Like other hatchets, these fish can jump when spooked so a well fitted lid is adviseable. Provide cover with floating plants, or by dangling/fixing artificial plants above the surface. Make sure that plenty of open space is also left for swimming and feeding. Otherwise, these fish are relatively easy to care for, undemanding, and a good community fish.
Silver Hatchetfish Facts
Family Gasteropelecidae (Freshwater hatchetfishes) | Synonyms Clupea sternicla, Thoracocharax stellatus, Gasteropelecus coronatus | Other names Silver Hatchetfish, River Hatchetfish | Origin South America | Breeding Deposits eggs on surface vegetation, unlikely to breed in aquariums | Natural Water Conditions pH 6-7, medium | Natural Habitat Slow moving streams, swamps and pools with vegetation | Sexing Females are larger than males, more noticable when viewed from above
Silver Hatchetfish Help and Advice
If you have a question about keeping Silver Hatchetfish's then please use our Silver Hatchetfish help forum. Join 100's of other fish enthusiasts with 1000's of years experience between them caring for and keeping fish like these.