Common hatchetfish Care Guide

The Common Hatchetfish is a fascinating freshwater fish known for its unique appearance and social behavior. Below is a detailed guide on how to care for this aquatic creature, ensuring a healthy and thriving aquarium environment.

Tank Setup

To create an ideal habitat for the Common Hatchetfish, maintain a pH range between 6.0 and 8.0. The water temperature should be kept between 23°C and 28°C. This species prefers a well-maintained environment with moderate maintenance levels.

The Common Hatchetfish is primarily a surface dweller, but it also enjoys mid-tank and bottom tank habitats, making it versatile in occupying different levels of the aquarium. Ensure that the tank is well-covered as they are known to jump.

As a social species, they thrive best in groups, with a minimum school size of six. Allocate at least 10 liters of water per fish to provide adequate swimming space.

Feeding

The Common Hatchetfish has a diverse diet. Provide a variety of foods to ensure balanced nutrition. Offer flakes, pellets, and freeze-dried foods for basic nutrition. Supplements of live or frozen options like bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, frozen shrimp, daphnia, and micro worms can enhance their diet. Consider vegetable matter and algae wafers to promote healthy digestion, and color-enhancing foods can help maintain their vibrant appearance. Stick-on tablets and feeder fish can serve as occasional treats.

Behavior and Social Needs

This species is known for its social nature and moderate hardiness. They exhibit mostly peaceful behavior with mild territorial tendencies. During breeding, their aggression levels do not change significantly.

Health and Maintenance

Regular tank maintenance is crucial to keep the Common Hatchetfish healthy. Ensure water parameters remain stable within the recommended range. Regularly monitor the water quality and perform partial water changes as needed. Check for signs of stress or illness, such as changes in behavior or appearance, and address any issues promptly.

Breeding

While breeding the Common Hatchetfish in captivity can be challenging, it is not impossible. They display no change in behavior during breeding, making them less aggressive compared to some other species. Providing optimal water conditions and a well-balanced diet can help encourage breeding in this fish species.

Additional Considerations

With moderate popularity and affordability, the Common Hatchetfish is a delightful addition to any freshwater aquarium. Their moderate care difficulty and maintenance level make them suitable for aquarists with some experience. By understanding their care requirements and social behavior, you can create a thriving environment for your Common Hatchetfish.