Think Fish - The Tropical Fish Keeping Resource

Fish Database: Marbled Hatchetfish - Carnegiella strigata

Aquarium requirements

Aquarium suitability: 4/5
Sociability rating: 9/10
Area of tank: Top
Aquarium water conditions: 5-8, vs,s,m,h
Temperature: 24 - 28C
Feeding: Flake, frozen, live foods
Minimum tank size: 75cm
Min / Max number in tank: Min 5

Fish fact file

Family: Gasteropelecidae (Freshwater hatchetfishes)
Synonyms: Gasteropelecus strigatus, G. fasciatus, G. vesca, Carnegiella strigata strigata
Other common names:
Origin: South America; Amazon River basin, Caqueta River
Natural habitat: Streams and rivers with overhanging vegetation
Size: 4cm
Behavior: Peaceful surface dweller
Breeding: Egg scatterer, eggs hatch after 36 hours
Natural water conditions: pH 5-8, soft to hard
Sexing: Females have a larger or more rounded belly

Fish code No.0911

Recently Viewed fish: Marbled Hatchetfish

The unusual shape and movements of the hatchetfish family make them an attractive and unusual fish for fishkeepers. The Marbled Hatchetfish adds an attractive mottled pattern to this combination and is a well-recommended fish for the right aquarium. To keep these fish properly they should be provided with plenty of cover and hiding spots amongst plants, areas of flow, and preferably avoiding very hard water. Although they are a surface feeding fish, they require a varied diet of which flake food should make up no more than three quarters. The unusual shape is due to a large muscle, which the fish use to jump high distances above the water to avoid predators. Make sure the aquarium is well covered to avoid the fish jumping out.

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