Silver hatchetfish

The silver hatchetfish is a distinctive characin of the family Gasteropelecidae, native to the Amazon basin and other parts of northern South America. It has a deep, keel-shaped, silvery body compressed side to side, with a straight back and hugely expanded pectoral fins, giving it the look of a hatchet blade. It is a peaceful, top-dwelling shoaling fish that should be kept in groups of six or more. Its enlarged pectoral muscles allow it to break the surface and glide, so it is a notorious jumper and reduces stress when kept in a proper school of surface companions. A covered tank is essential to prevent it from leaping out. It appreciates soft, slightly acidic water with gentle current, open surface space, and some floating plants for cover. It is an omnivore that feeds mainly at the surface, taking floating flakes, small insects, and frozen or live foods such as mosquito larvae. It is rarely bred in captivity.