{"product_id":"common-hatchetfish-gasteropelecus-sternicla","title":"Common Hatchetfish | Gasteropelecus sternicla","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Common Hatchetfish has a deep, keeled 'hatchet' belly and wing-like pectoral fins it uses to skitter across the water's surface. A peaceful surface shoaler reaching around 6 cm, it is a fascinating character for the top of a calm, planted community, and a champion jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGasteropelecus sternicla is widespread through the Amazon basin and other tropical South American waters, from Peru to the Guianas, where it hangs just beneath the surface of slow streams, backwaters and flooded forest margins. The water is typically warm, soft and stained with tannins, shaded by overhanging vegetation. Floating plants, gentle flow and subdued lighting recreate its home and keep it calm.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe body is strongly compressed with a dramatically curved, keel-like belly and a straight back, giving the unmistakable hatchet profile. Colouring is silvery with a fine dark lateral line and a metallic sheen, and the pectoral fins are large and wing-like. Clean water, good feeding and the security of a shoal keep its silver flanks bright.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful and shoaling. It lives almost exclusively at the surface and ignores mid- and bottom-dwellers, making it an excellent way to use the top of a calm community tank. Keep it in a group of at least six for confidence, and pair only with gentle companions. It is easily startled, so avoid boisterous or fast-moving tank mates that unsettle it.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous micropredator built to feed at the surface. It relishes small floating live and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, bloodworm and fruit flies, and will take floating flake and small pellets. Because it rarely feeds below the surface, food must stay up top where it can reach. Small, frequent feeds suit its natural insect-catching habit.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 75 L, prioritising surface area and swimming length over height. Keep temperature at 23–27 °C, pH 5.5–7.0 and GH soft, around 2–12. Use gentle flow, floating cover and, crucially, a tight lid with no gaps, as this fish leaps when startled and will jump clean out of an open tank. Keep water clean and stable, as it dislikes poor quality. It is peaceful and plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is rare in aquaria and seldom accomplished. In nature the fish scatter eggs among surface and floating vegetation, and the fry require a steady supply of tiny live foods. Recreating the triggers and raising the delicate fry is challenging, so successful breeding is largely the preserve of dedicated specialists.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGasteropelecus sternicla\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon (Silver) Hatchetfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical South America (Amazon basin, Peru to the Guianas)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (surface schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger (surface area matters)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (surface): floating live and frozen foods, floating flake\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft, around 2–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCalm, lidded, planted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, corydoras, dwarf cichlids such as apistogrammas, and other calm community fish that occupy the mid and lower levels.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with boisterous or fast, fin-nipping fish that startle it, with large predators, and with anything that competes aggressively at the surface. Never house it without a secure, gap-free lid.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232883720483,"sku":"AA3825","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232883753251,"sku":null,"price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Common_Hatchetfish_a548a879-0e3b-43a2-8859-7bde583171fa.jpg?v=1781701817","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/common-hatchetfish-gasteropelecus-sternicla","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}