Where are freshwater hatchetfish from?

How big do hatchet fish get?

In the wild the freshwater hatchetfish is primarily found in Central and South America, in the mouth of Amazon basin and have been seen as far as Venezuela and Peru. 4. The freshwater hatchetfish are about 2.5 inches when full grown and the deep sea hatchet fish can vary in size from 1 to 6 inches in length when full grown.

What kind of water do hatchetfish like?

Soft water is best for Common Hatchetfish, as it most closely matches the water conditions in the Amazon waters. They also prefer slightly acidic water; like the Silver Hatchetfish, they don’t do well in water that has too much ammonia. The optimal parameters to ensure a close match to their natural habitat are:

Are there any hatchet fish in captivity?

Several of the hatchets have been bred in captivity. Silver Hatchetfish is reported as one success where the male drives the female into fine leaf plants to deposit her eggs. In the wild, they spawn amongst the fine roots of plants along the river banks.

What is the average size of a hatchetfish?

In the wild, both the Gasteropelecus species are smaller, with the Common Hatchetfish reaching about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) and G. levis reaching about 1 inch (3.5 cm). The Greater Hatchetfish grows much larger, getting up to 3 1/2″ (9.1 cm),…

What is a freshwater hatchetfish?

Freshwater hatchetfish are a type of ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Gasteropelecidae. All freshwater hatchetfish come from South America and Panama where they tend to inhabit the upper level of the water column, swimming just below the surface.

Can hatchetfish live with other fish?

Hatchetfish are shoaling fish, which means they like to be kept in a group of 10 or more. Any skirmishes in the group are only a form of play, and no harm ever comes of it. They are very tolerant of bottom dwellers and can be kept without danger among quiet and mild-mannered species of fish of about the same size.

How big do deep sea hatchetfish get?

Size of deep sea hatchetfish varies among different species. Largest species, known as giant hatchetfish, can reach 6 inches in length. Color of deep sea hatchetfish also depends on the species. Body of smaller hatchetfish is usually covered with silver scales. Larger species can be green or brown in color.

What is the history of the hatchet fish?

In 1937, Dr. Hoedeman had several specimens of common hatchet fish to care for, and employed an extra-large 150 gallons aquarium for them: As a preventive measure, the edges of the tank on the surface of the water were filled with sponge, so that the hatchet fish didn’t get hurt if they tried to «fly» as they did in nature.

Can hatchet fish live in a bare tank?

Hatchet Fish are shoal fish, which means they like to be kept in a group of 3 or 5 or 7 and like to have a grouping of rocks and plants to swim around. Putting these unique fish in a bare tank will make them very unhappy, insecure, and they will not survive long.

What is the largest hatchetfish?

Of the several species of hatchetfish that inhabit the ocean depths, the largest is Argyropelecus gigas, also known as the giant or large hatchetfish. This giant of the family grows to an impressive six inches (12 centimeters) in length. Most of the smaller hatchetfish species are covered in delicate silvery scales.

What are the characteristics of a hatchetfish?

Most of the smaller hatchetfish species are covered in delicate silvery scales. Some species, including the giant hatchetfish can be brown or dark green in color. Hatchetfishes have large, tubular eyes that pointing upward. This enables them to search for food falling from the above.

How big does a hatchetfish get?

This giant of the family grows to an impressive six inches (12 centimeters) in length. Most of the smaller hatchetfish species are covered in delicate silvery scales. Some species, including the giant hatchetfish can be brown or dark green in color.

Do hatchet fish need a different decor?

We need to have different décor considerations than for most other fish. As hatchets only live in the upper few inches of the tank, they’ll not care what goes on underneath. However, they are picky about their surface environment.

Is there such a thing as a giant hatchetfish?

They should not be confused with the freshwater hatchetfish commonly seen in home aquariums. Of the several species of hatchetfish that inhabit the ocean depths, the largest is Argyropelecus gigas, also known as the giant or large hatchetfish.

Why is it called deep sea hatchetfish?

Deep sea hatchetfish is named because of unique shape of the body that looks like a hatchet. “Deep sea” means that this fish prefers life on great depths. Deep sea hatchetfish has flat body with large, tubular eyes that are pointing upwards. Deep sea hatchetfish lives on great depth with minimal amount of light.

How does a hatchetfish eat shrimp?

With a big swoop, the hatchetfish traps the shrimp in its jaws, and gulps it down. The fish’s stomach is expandable, like a snake’s, to cope with the large serving. Though it lives deep in the Earth’s oceans, this fish looks like it came from another planet. Eerie light shining from its body helps confuse undersea attackers.

What is a hatchetfish?

Hatchetfishes are one of the many deep sea creatures that have the ability to create their own light through a process known as bioluminescence. These fish have special light-producing organs known as photophores that run along the length of their body.

Which hatchetfish are the best jumpers?

Despite (or perhaps because of) its small size, Marbled Hatchetfish are the best jumpers of all the hatchetfish. These tiny specimens have the ability to jump more than 5 feet high or forward, quite a feat considering the fish is less than 2 inches long.

How many species of hatchetfish are there?

Of the nine species, there are three genera in the hatchetfish collective, and most are usually sold under the wrong names. Broken down, there are three representatives for the Gasteropelecus genus, two more for Thoracocharax, and four for Carnegiella.

Why do hatchetfish have photophores?

Even in the pitch-black darkness of the deep sea, the faintest silhouette could give up the location of a little fish to a bigger fish lurking nearby. So along with their slender shape and reflective scales, marine hatchetfish have equipped themselves with a row of light-emitting organs called photophores to conceal their shadows.

What do Blackwing hatchetfish eat?

Blackwing Hatchetfish love insects. Their protein diet should consist of a variety of choices, including Bloodworms, brine shrimp, crickets, daphnia, fruit flies, and tubifex. They will also accept flakes.

What does the hatchetfish go after?

A big meal is rare, so the fish goes after a deep-sea shrimp. Coming up from the darkness below, the hatchetfish is hidden from its victim.

Can a hatchet fish jump?

This demure little species is, however, the most prolific and accomplished jumper of all the hatchets. Actually capable of “flapping” its pectoral fins while airborne, this fish does not simply glide through the air in a leap, but can add to its forward propulsion though pectoral fin movement.

What kind of body does a hatchet fish have?

This hatchet fish has a convex body, a very deep ventral profile with its anal fin backwards. Their pectoral fins often extend to half the length of the body. Their body color is silver with patches and black stripes; however, depending on the angle of light the colors may vary.

How does a hatchetfish produce light?

Deep Sea Hatchetfish (Argyropelecus gigas) These photophores produce light by means of a chemical reaction similar to that of the land-based firefly. Since these light organs point downward, it is believed they are used to hide the fish from predators through the process of counterillumination.

How do fish photophores produce light?

These photophores produce light by means of a chemical reaction similar to that of the land-based firefly. Since these light organs point downward, it is believed they are used to hide the fish from predators through the process of counterillumination.