Why did my Silver Hatchetfish jump out of the tank?

Hatchetfish have evolved to leap from the water to catch insects and escape predators. In an aquarium, they may jump if startled by sudden lights, fast movements outside the tank, aggressive tankmates, or simply by instinct. A completely tight-fitting lid with no gaps around filters or heaters is absolutely mandatory.

Why are my hatchetfish ignoring their food?

Silver Hatchetfish are obligate surface feeders with mouths positioned at the very top of their heads. They physically struggle to eat sinking food. Ensure you are providing floating flakes, freeze-dried bloodworms, or live fruit flies that stay on the surface tension long enough for them to feed.

Do I have to keep them in a shoal?

Yes. Hatchetfish are highly gregarious in the wild. Keeping them in groups of at least six (though ten or more is better) disperses their natural timidity, making them feel secure enough to feed and behave normally.

Do they need floating aquarium plants?

While not strictly mandatory, floating plants are highly recommended. Plants like Frogbit or Water Spangles provide shade, mimic their natural flooded-forest habitat, and create a physical barrier that discourages them from jumping.

What is the difference between a Silver Hatchetfish and a Marbled Hatchetfish?

They belong to different genera. The Silver Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus sternicla) grows slightly larger (up to 6.5 cm) and has a shiny, plain silver body. The Marbled Hatchetfish (Carnegiella strigata) is smaller (up to 4 cm) and features distinct dark, marbled patterning along its sides.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Silver Hatchetfish

Gasteropelecus sternicla

The Silver Hatchetfish is a remarkably unique, surface-dwelling schooling fish known for its deep, highly compressed body and legendary ability to leap from the water.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 28 °C
pH range: 6 – 7
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 5 – 6.5 cm
Standard 80L or larger, prioritising surface area over depth: 80 litres+
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Diet: Carnivorous (surface-feeding insectivore)
Water flow: gentle to moderate
Preferred setup: Heavily planted with open surface areas and floating plants. A tight-fitting lid is absolutely essential.

About the Silver Hatchetfish

Boasting one of the most distinctive silhouettes in the aquarium hobby, the Silver Hatchetfish features a perfectly straight dorsal profile and a deeply convex, 'hatchet-shaped' belly. This morphology, combined with enlarged pectoral muscles and wing-like pectoral fins, allows them to skim the water's surface and even leap briefly into the air to catch flying insects or evade predators. They are entirely dedicated to the upper strata of the aquarium, rarely venturing downwards.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Silver Hatchetfish comes from

Native range

Amazon River Basin, Guiana Shield

Countries / regions

Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Peru, Venezuela

Habitat

Slow-moving tributaries, blackwater streams, and flooded forests with dense overhanging canopy and floating vegetation.

Widespread across much of northern South America's river systems.

Similar species

Marbled Hatchetfish
Carnegiella strigata
Platinum Hatchetfish
Thoracocharax securis
Black-winged Hatchetfish
Carnegiella marthae

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras spp.
Corydoras occupy the bottom layer of the aquarium, completely avoiding the surface territory of the hatchetfish.
Great
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Peaceful mid-water shoaling fish that share similar water parameter requirements and will not compete for surface space.
Great
Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
Highly active and feed vigorously at the surface, which can easily outcompete and stress the timid hatchetfish.
Compatible with caution
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Notorious fin-nippers that may harass the hatchetfish and target their trailing pelvic fins.
Not recommended
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Adult angelfish grow large enough to view small hatchetfish as prey, especially in a confined aquarium.
Not recommended

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