Common Hatchetfish

[Rooivlerkie]

Hi
I have never seen a Common Hatchet fish in a Petshop.
But I want to know what food is good for them.
And what Ph is best for them.
And what is the best tankmates.
How big must the tank be if I want to keep them?
And how do you care for them.

Rooivlerkie

[SalmonAfrica]

Hi

They do come around every so often, and sometimes you might even see other hatchetfish species available, with very similar requirements. Next to the common hatchetfish, I think the marbled hatchet is the next most often seen, and IMO quite a bit better looking.

Feeding is pretty basic, since they'll accept almost any foods you offer them; frozen, dry or live. They are almost exclusively surface feeders though and don't stray too far from the surface for food, so stuff that floats (at least for a while) would be most ideal. They eat small invertebrates in nature, and if you can provide any form of this (either frozen or live) they'd much appreciate it.

Tankmates shouldn't really be a problem since they get on quite well with other fish. It may be best to avoid adding any other surface-dwelling fish though, not because the hatchet has aggressive tendencies (which they don't), but other because other surface feeders tend to not like to share the surface waters - African butterflyfish immediately come to mind. Also, avoid fish that get quite large and may be able to eat them - hatchets don't get very large and make easy prey for big fish.

They come from the Amazon region so you'll be looking at a pH of roughly 6.0 to 7.0, although they aren't particularly fussy and can tolerate slightly higher and lower than those given values.

Even though they are small fish, they do like to live in small to large groups (size of group is up to you, ideally 4 or more) and have space to move around the surface. I've seen a small group of 4 happily occupying a 2 foot tank (roughly 60 litres), but any bigger wouldn't hurt.

Other than that the only thing to keep in mind is that they're very capable jumpers - some can leap for over a meter across the water's surface. Bearing this in mind you'll most likely want a lid or cover glass on your tank to prevent any jumping incidents. Using floating plants can help to discourage jumping, so make use of these as well.

Regards

[Rooivlerkie]

Hi
Thanks a lot.
I have a 61 cm tank with:
3 black widows
3 X-ray tetras
6 rummy nose tetras
1 bristle nose cat fish.
Is this good tank mates or are they to boisterous?

[SalmonAfrica]

A small group could work fine in that tank. I've heard some stories about Black Widows recently but if they aren't bothering your other fish then it should be fine.

[Rooivlerkie]

Thanks
Where can I get Common Hatchetfish?
In a Petshop?

[SalmonAfrica]

I don't know which area you come from, so I can't say with certainty if your pet shops get them in with any regularity. I know the the shops on my area used to get them in every couple of months.

If you have no luck with your local pet stores, try getting into contact with Altum, Dolphin or one of the other sponsers on this forum.

[Rooivlerkie]

I am from Citrusdal.
Some times I vist Cape Town.