Silver Hatchet Fish

Name: Silver Hatchet Fish
Brand: Apex Aquatic
Price: 18.0 AUD
Availability: InStock

$18.00

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Every fish passes through our dedicated quarantine system and strict biosecurity monitoring before sale - so it arrives healthy, settled and ready to thrive. How we quarantine →

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Description

About Silver Hatchet Fish

Silver Hatchet Fish are distinctive freshwater schooling fish named for their deep, hatchet-shaped body and bright silver colouration. They are surface-dwelling fish that spend most of their time just beneath the waterline, making them an excellent way to utilise the upper level of a community aquarium.

Their unusual body shape and reflective silver scales make them particularly attractive under aquarium lighting. They are peaceful fish and are best kept in groups, where they feel more secure and display more natural schooling behaviour.

Silver Hatchet Fish appreciate floating plants and subdued surface areas, which provide cover and help recreate their natural environment. They are capable jumpers, so a tightly fitting aquarium lid is essential.

They are best suited to peaceful community aquariums with similarly sized fish. Avoid large or aggressive tank mates that may harass or prey on them.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Gasteropelecus sternicla
Common Name: Silver Hatchet Fish / Silver Hatchetfish
Family: Gasteropelecidae
Type: Freshwater Schooling Fish
Adult Size: Approximately 4–5 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
Minimum Group: 6+
Temperature: 23–28°C
pH: 5.5–7.5
Water Hardness: Soft to Moderately Hard
Diet: Omnivore / Insectivore
Tank Level: Surface
Suitable For: Community aquariums, planted tanks, blackwater setups and peaceful tropical aquariums

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Silver Hatchet Fish should I keep?

Keep them in a group of at least 6, although larger schools are preferable and produce more natural behaviour.

Do Silver Hatchet Fish jump?

Yes. Hatchetfish are exceptional jumpers, particularly when startled. A secure, tightly fitting lid is essential.

What do Silver Hatchet Fish eat?

They naturally feed heavily near the surface and appreciate floating foods, small flakes, micro pellets and appropriately sized frozen or live foods.

Can Silver Hatchet Fish live with other fish?

Yes. They are peaceful and work well with other similarly sized, non-aggressive community fish.

Do they need floating plants?

They don't strictly require them, but floating plants provide valuable cover and help the fish feel secure near the surface.

Common Mistakes

Keeping them without a secure lid
Their ability to jump is one of their defining characteristics. Always use a tight-fitting lid.

Keeping too few fish
They are schooling fish and become more confident in larger groups.

Keeping them with aggressive fish
Large or aggressive tank mates can stress or prey on these relatively delicate surface fish.

Providing too much surface disturbance
Strong surface agitation can make it difficult for them to comfortably occupy their preferred area.

Feeding only sinking foods
They are surface feeders, so include floating or slow-sinking foods that they can easily access.

Shipping & delivery

This product is for in-store purchase only. Available for in-store pickup.

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Returns

We stand behind everything we sell. If something is not right, get in touch and we will make it right. See our returns policy for the details.

Care & quarantine

This fish has been through our dedicated quarantine system and is feeding, settled and health-checked before sale. We still recommend acclimating slowly and quarantining new additions at home. Our team is happy to talk you through the right setup - just ask.

How we quarantine →