Spotted hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus maculatus
Also known as Spotted hatchet, Spotted river hatchetfish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 26 gal
- 100 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Top
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Gasteropelecidae
- Origin
- Native to Panama and northern South America, including the western Amazon and Magdalena drainages.
Overview
Keep spotted hatchetfish in a group of 6 or more at the surface, with floating plants for cover and open water to cruise. They are peaceful and stick to the very top, so pair them with mid and bottom dwellers. A tight lid is a must, because startled hatchetfish will shoot out of the water.
In the wild
Hangs right at the surface of streams, creeks, and quiet river margins, often under overhanging plants. The keeled chest and upturned mouth are built to snatch insects off the surface film. It stays tight to the top in groups.
Good to know
Gasteropelecus maculatus is one of the larger hatchetfishes at around 9 cm, its silvery body scattered with dark spots. Its deep, muscular breast powers the enlarged pectoral fins. It belongs to the family Gasteropelecidae.
Did you know
When alarmed, hatchetfish beat their winglike pectoral fins and skitter across the surface, and a spooked group in an open tank will jump clear of the water.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Spotted hatchetfish is a peaceful, shoaling 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.
River stone carp
Psilorhynchus sucatio
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)64–79°F (18–26°C)
Cachimbo tetra
Hyphessobrycon cachimbensis
Freshwater2.7 in (6.8 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Blue-eyed livebearer
Priapella intermedia
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Talking catfish
Acanthodoras spinosissimus
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Rainbow cichlid
Herotilapia multispinosa
Freshwater6.3 in (16 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Spotfin hatchetfish
Thoracocharax stellatus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Spotted hatchetfish need?
A Spotted hatchetfish needs at least 26 gal (100 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH does a Spotted hatchetfish need?
A Spotted hatchetfish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Spotted hatchetfish get?
An adult Spotted hatchetfish reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
Does a Spotted hatchetfish need a group?
Yes. A Spotted hatchetfish is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
1.6 in (4 cm)33 gal (125 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)Common hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus sternicla
1.6 in (4 cm) · 33 gal (125 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)30 gal (112 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Silver hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus levis
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 30 gal (112 L)
- 3.5 in (9 cm)26 gal (100 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Spotfin hatchetfish
Thoracocharax stellatus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)32 gal (120 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)Marbled hatchetfish
Carnegiella strigata
1.6 in (4 cm) · 32 gal (120 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)30 gal (115 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)Blackwing hatchetfish
Carnegiella marthae
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)
1 in (2.6 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Scherer's hatchetfish
Carnegiella schereri
1 in (2.6 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)