Common hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus sternicla
- Tank length
- 14 cm6 in
- Group
- 6+
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C73–81 °F
- pH
- 5.5–7.8
- Adult size
- 3.5 cm1.4 in
- Lifespan
- 3–5 yrs
Surface feeder and strong jumper; needs a tight lid and a group of six or more to feel secure.Surface feeder and strong jumper; needs a tight lid and a group of six or more to feel secure.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- African knifefish
African knifefish may eat Common hatchetfishAfrican knifefish may eat Common hatchetfish
- African pike
African pike may eat Common hatchetfishAfrican pike may eat Common hatchetfish
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat Common hatchetfishAlligator gar may eat Common hatchetfish
- Antenna ray
Antenna ray may eat Common hatchetfishAntenna ray may eat Common hatchetfish
- Arapaima
Arapaima may eat Common hatchetfishArapaima may eat Common hatchetfish
- Arrowhead puffer
Arrowhead puffer may eat Common hatchetfishArrowhead puffer may eat Common hatchetfish
- Asian arowana
Asian arowana may eat Common hatchetfishAsian arowana may eat Common hatchetfish
- Asian upside-down catfish
Asian upside down catfish may eat Common hatchetfishAsian upside down catfish may eat Common hatchetfish
- Australian pearl arowana
Australian pearl arowana may eat Common hatchetfishAustralian pearl arowana may eat Common hatchetfish
- Barred bichir
Barred bichir may eat Common hatchetfishBarred bichir may eat Common hatchetfish
- Black bullhead
Black bullhead may eat Common hatchetfishBlack bullhead may eat Common hatchetfish
- Black diamond cichlid
Black diamond cichlid may eat Common hatchetfishBlack diamond cichlid may eat Common hatchetfish
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 23–27 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.5–7.8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Amazon basin and the Guianas | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | top | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | peaceful | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 3–5 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 8 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |