Page 91 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CHARACOIDS 89

Gasteropelecus sternicla Carnegiella strigata Carnegiella myersi
Silver Hatchetfish Marbled Hatchetfish Dwarf Hatchetfish

ORIGINS South America, in Surinam and Guyana, plus ORIGINS Northern South America, occurring in Guyana ORIGINS South America, occurring in the Rio Ucayali,
southern tributaries of the Amazon. and the middle Amazon. Peru, and also in Bolivia.
SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6.5 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm). SIZE 1 in (2.5 cm).
1
1
DIET Live foods preferred, plus flake. DIET Small live foods and flake. DIET Small live foods and flake.
WATER Temperature 73–81°F (23–27°C); hard WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); soft
100–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social, but nervous. TEMPERAMENT Social and inoffensive. TEMPERAMENT Social and inoffensive.
This hatchetfish has silver-and-black marbling
Transparent fins
and a yellowish line from the eye to the caudal
peduncle. It is easy to breed if regularly given live
foods. Use blackwater extract to help create
suitable water conditions. The eggs, laid among
the roots of floating plants, fall to the base of the
tank. Give the fry infusoria or suitable fry food
once they are free-swimming at about five days
old and brine shrimp after a week or more.
The Silver Hatchetfish has a distinguishing
black stripe on its rear half that extends The internal organs of this hatchetfish are visible
to the caudal peduncle. Males look slimmer through its semitransparent body. There is a black
than females when viewed from above stripe running from the eye to the tail. The Dwarf
These fish prey on invertebrates that congregate is the smallest of all the hatchetfish, but it has a
near the surface, such as mosquito larvae, and feed lifestyle similar to its larger relatives, living
eagerly on wingless fruit flies or baby crickets and feeding near the surface. It is relatively
dropped onto the water. Make sure the water trustworthy with the fry of other fish and can
surface is not blocked by floating plants. sometimes even be housed in rearing tanks.

FLYING HATCHETS

The aerodynamic shape of hatchetfish, with
the deep, boatlike keel, means that these fish
are sufficiently streamlined to be able to leap
out of the water without difficulty, as shown
in this picture. Their flat topline reflects the
fact that hatchetfish normally lurk just below
the surface, grabbing surface-swimming
invertebrates and others that touch down
momentarily on the water. The upturned
mouth is another adaptation to surface
feeding. When hatchetfish are viewed from
above, their flat body shape makes them
difficult to spot, even near the surface,
because so little of the body is visible. They
have sharp eyesight to help them catch prey
and avoid predators. On occasion, usually to
escape would-be predators approaching them
in the water, these fish will take to the air.
The flapping movements of their pectoral fins
are powerful enough to keep them airborne,
enabling them to cover distances of up to
4 ft (1.2 m) before reentering the water.
While in the air, they use their caudal fin to
provide them with some directional guidance.
It is essential that an aquarium housing
hatchetfish is kept covered, even when it is
being serviced, because otherwise they are
likely to leap out into the room.

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