Narrow hatchetfish
Triportheus angulatus
Also known as Elongate hatchet tetra, Longfin hatchet tetra, Dusky narrow hatchetfish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 79 gal
- 300 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Top
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Triportheidae
- Origin
- Widespread across the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraguay river basins in South America.
Overview
The narrow hatchetfish is a fast, restless schooling characin for the top of a large tank. It is a fair step up from beginner fish.
Did you know
The narrow hatchetfish's deep chest and oversized fins let it move in fast, coordinated shoals along the surface. The shoals snap up insects that hit the water.
Caring for the narrow hatchetfish
The narrow hatchetfish needs a long tank of at least 79 gal (300 L). Fit a firm lid, since it is a strong jumper.
Keep the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. It feeds at the top, taking insects and other small prey.
Keep narrow hatchetfish in a group of 6 or more, so the shoal feels secure and stays out in the open. They are peaceful and safe in a community of fish they cannot eat. They will take very small tank mates, though.
Good to know
The narrow hatchetfish, Triportheus angulatus, belongs to the family Triportheidae, a group of open-water, surface-feeding characins. It has a pronounced keel-like breast and enlarged pectoral fins. The silvery body carries a faint dark stripe along the side. It is also sold as the elongate hatchet tetra or the longfin hatchet tetra.
In the wild
The narrow hatchetfish is widespread across the Amazon, Orinoco and Paraguay river basins in South America. It cruises the open upper water of rivers, lakes and flooded areas in large, active shoals.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The narrow hatchetfish is a mostly peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the top. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Blue acara
Andinoacara pulcher
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Yoyo loach
Botia almorhae
Freshwater6.3 in (16 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)66–81°F (19–27°C)
Boeseman's rainbowfish
Melanotaenia boesemani
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 29 gal (108 L)81–86°F (27–30°C)
Gallagher's catfish
Rhinodoras gallagheri
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Banded silver dollar
Metynnis fasciatus
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Asian glass hatchetfish
Parachela oxygastroides
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a narrow hatchetfish need?
A narrow hatchetfish needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH does a narrow hatchetfish need?
A narrow hatchetfish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.
What does a narrow hatchetfish eat?
A narrow hatchetfish feeds at the surface on insects and other small prey. It will also take very small tank mates.
How big does a narrow hatchetfish get?
An adult narrow hatchetfish reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
Does a narrow hatchetfish need a group?
Yes. A narrow hatchetfish is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
9.8 in (25 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Giant river hatchetfish
Triportheus rotundatus
9.8 in (25 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Hujeta gar
Ctenolucius hujeta
9.8 in (25 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)
9.4 in (24 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Yellowfin chalceus
Chalceus erythrurus
9.4 in (24 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)106 gal (400 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Apollo shark minnow
Luciosoma setigerum
11.8 in (30 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)70 gal (265 L)77–88°F (25–31°C)Largescale four-eyed fish
Anableps anableps
11.8 in (30 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Clouded archerfish
Toxotes blythii
7.9 in (20 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)