TankBud

Giant river hatchetfish

Triportheus rotundatus

Also known as Giant hatchet tetra, Elongate hatchetfish

FreshwaterFish

Giant river hatchetfish (Triportheus rotundatus)

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
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Triportheidae
Origin
Amazon basin, Brazil

Overview

The giant river hatchetfish is a big surface schooler for a large freshwater tank. It takes a little more experience than a beginner fish.

Did you know

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

Caring for the giant river hatchetfish

The giant river hatchetfish grows to about 9.8 in (25 cm), so give it a long tank of at least 79 gal (300 L). Leave plenty of surface area and open water at the top, since open swimming length matters more than heavy decor. It is a strong jumper that will find any gap, so a tight, secure lid is essential.

Keep the water warm at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), with a soft to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Add gentle to moderate flow and some floating cover.

Feed floating and surface foods along with sinking items, such as flake, floating pellets, frozen insects and bloodworm. Add the occasional bit of fruit.

Keep a group of six or more. It patrols the surface film in a loose shoal and is mostly peaceful. It is a fast, strong swimmer that may take very small fish, so pair it with calm, mid-sized tank mates rather than tiny ones. It is not known to have been raised in captivity.

Good to know

The giant river hatchetfish belongs to the family Triportheidae, the keeled characins, and is one of the family's larger members. It has long, wing-like pectoral fins. It is also sold as the giant hatchet tetra.

In the wild

The giant river hatchetfish cruises open surface waters of the Amazon basin in Brazil. It takes insects, fruit and seeds that fall onto the water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The giant river 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.

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 does a giant river hatchetfish need?

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

What does a giant river hatchetfish eat?

A giant river hatchetfish eats floating and surface foods along with sinking items, such as flake, floating pellets, frozen insects and bloodworm. Give it the occasional bit of fruit too.

How big does a giant river hatchetfish get?

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

Does a giant river hatchetfish need a group?

Yes. A giant river hatchetfish is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species