Blackwing hatchetfish
The blackwing hatchetfish is a tiny, deep-chested surface dweller from the blackwater tributaries of the Rio Negro and Orinoco. It cruises the top few centimetres of the water column and is a confirmed jumper, so a tightly fitting lid is essential. Keep it in a shoal of at least eight, as isolated individuals become stressed and reclusive. It thrives in warm, very soft, acidic water rich in tannins, ideally over a dim, well-planted blackwater setup with floating cover and gentle flow. Peaceful and easily intimidated, it suits calm tankmates such as small tetras, pencilfish and Corydoras. Feed small floating and surface foods: fine flake, tiny live or frozen insects, fruit flies and micro-crustaceans. Best reserved for aquarists able to maintain stable soft-water chemistry.
Water parameters
| Temperature | 23 – 29 °C |
|---|---|
| pH | 4.5 – 6.5 |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | 0 – 4 °dKH |
| General hardness (GH) | 1 – 8 °dGH |
Tank & stocking
| Minimum tank volume | 60 L |
|---|---|
| Volume budget per individual | 5 L — adds up with tank-mates |
| Minimum group size | 8 individuals (shoaling) |
“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.
Frequently asked questions
What size aquarium does Blackwing hatchetfish need?
Provide at least 60 litres for a small group to keep Blackwing hatchetfish in good conditions.
What water parameters does Blackwing hatchetfish need?
A temperature of 23–29 °C, pH 4.5–6.5.
Is Blackwing hatchetfish peaceful or aggressive?
Its temperament is peaceful.
What does Blackwing hatchetfish eat?
Its diet: omnivore.
How many Blackwing hatchetfish should be kept together?
It is a social species: keep a group of at least 8.
How big does Blackwing hatchetfish get?
Around 3.5 cm as an adult.
Is Blackwing hatchetfish suitable for beginners?
Care level: intermediate.
Planning a tank with Blackwing hatchetfish?
AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.
Fish from the same biotope
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