Marbled Hatchetfish
Gasteropelecidae sp.
The Marbled Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecidae sp.) is a peaceful fish that's rewarding to keep. Give it a tank of at least 120 litres (32 US gallons), water held at 68-82°F, and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
South America
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Marbled Hatchetfish Tank Setup
A tank of at least 120 litres (32 US gallons) works well. Keep the water at 68-82°F with a pH around 6.5-7.5, and set up both cover and open swimming space where they spend most of their time (Mid).
What Do Marbled Hatchetfish Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Marbled Hatchetfish Tank Mates
The Marbled Hatchetfish is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Marbled Hatchetfish Good for Beginners?
Care demand varies by line and setup. Match the care level to how often you actually test and change water.
Marbled Hatchetfish - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Marbled Hatchetfish need?
Marbled Hatchetfish need a tank of at least 120 litres (32 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Marbled Hatchetfish need?
Keep them at 68-82°F with a pH of 6.5-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Marbled Hatchetfish eat?
Marbled Hatchetfish are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Marbled Hatchetfish good for beginners?
It depends on the setup. Match Marbled Hatchetfish to how often you actually test water and perform maintenance.
Common mistakes with Marbled Hatchetfish
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 120 litres (32 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Marbled Hatchetfish
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
