Spotted Hatchetfish

About

The Spotted Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus levis) is a small, deep-bodied characin from the lower Amazon basin in Brazil, instantly recognizable by the dramatically compressed, keel-like belly that gives the hatchetfish family their name. That exaggerated profile is no accident. It houses a heavily muscled pectoral girdle that powers the fish's most famous trick: launching itself clear of the water surface. Despite old claims of powered flight, research has shown this is really a powerful leap rather than true wing-beaten flight, but the result is the same from a keeper's perspective. Keep that lid on tight, especially at night, because they will find any gap. In the aquarium this species lives almost exclusively at the surface, occasionally dropping into midwater when spooked or chasing food. It is a carnivore, naturally picking off worms and insects, so floating or slow-sinking foods work best. It will struggle to compete if kept with boisterous tankmates that rush the feeding zone. Peaceful and somewhat shy, it really does need a group of at least six to feel secure. Pair it with tetras, Corydoras, or dwarf cichlids and it will thrive. New imports can be delicate during the settling-in period, but once established it proves a resilient and rewarding surface resident.