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Giant river hatchetfish

Triportheus rotundatus

Also known as Giant hatchet tetra, Elongate hatchetfish

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH
6.0–7.5
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
Origin
Amazon basin, Brazil
Family
Triportheidae

Overview

This is a big, fast surface schooler, so keep a group of six or more in a long tank with plenty of open water at the top. It patrols the film in a loose shoal and is mostly peaceful, though it is a fast, strong swimmer that may take very small fish, so pair it with calm, mid-sized tankmates rather than tiny ones. It is a strong jumper that will find any gap, so a tight, secure lid is essential. Feed floating and surface foods along with sinking items: flake, floating pellets, frozen insects, bloodworm, and the occasional bit of fruit. Because it reaches around 25 cm, give it a long tank of at least 300 litres.

In the wild

It cruises open surface waters of the Amazon basin in Brazil, taking insects, fruit, and seeds that fall onto the water. Recreate that with a long tank offering plenty of surface area, warm water of 23 to 28 degrees Celsius, and a soft to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Gentle to moderate flow, some floating cover, and a tight lid complete it, and open swimming length matters more than heavy decor.

Good to know

It belongs to the family Triportheidae, the keeled characins, and is one of the larger members at around 25 cm. Its deep, sharp-keeled chest anchors the muscles that drive its long, wing-like pectoral fins, the same build that lets keeled characins skitter and leap across the surface. It is not known to have been raised in captivity.

Did you know

That deep, blade-like chest is a launch pad. It anchors oversized pectoral-fin muscles, and like other keeled characins the fish can burst clear of the water and skitter across the surface to escape danger or chase drifting food.

Tank mates

Giant river hatchetfish is a mostly peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the top. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Giant river hatchetfish need?

A Giant river hatchetfish needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH do Giant river hatchetfish need?

Giant river hatchetfish are comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big do Giant river hatchetfish get?

An adult Giant river hatchetfish reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).

Do Giant river hatchetfish need a group?

Yes. Giant river hatchetfish are a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Schooling fish

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