Silver Hatchet
Gasteropelecus sternicla
The Silver Hatchet (Gasteropelecus sternicla) is a peaceful fish that's easy to keep. Give it a tank of at least 90 litres (24 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 6-7.5. Always keep a group of at least 6 - they feel safest in numbers.
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.
Silver Hatchet Tank Setup
A tank of at least 90 litres (24 US gallons) works well. Keep the water at 75-82°F with a pH around 6-7.5, and set up both cover and open swimming space where they spend most of their time (Top). Always keep a group of at least 6 of their own kind - kept alone or in pairs they tend to turn shy, nippy, or wash out in colour.
What Do Silver Hatchets Eat?
They do best on small live or frozen foods like bloodworm or daphnia, rather than filler-heavy flake. Keep portions small, as uneaten food spoils quickly in warm water.
Silver Hatchet Tank Mates
Strong jumper; requires cover The Silver Hatchet is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a shoaling fish, so settle a group of 6 or more of its own kind before adding anything else - a stressed, lonely fish is far more likely to nip or hide. 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 Silver Hatchets Good for Beginners?
Often recommended to beginners, but only after the tank is cycled and you can keep a proper school - not three fish in a new setup.
Silver Hatchet - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Silver Hatchets need?
Silver Hatchets need a tank of at least 90 litres (24 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
How many Silver Hatchets should I keep together?
Keep a group of at least 6. Silver Hatchets are a shoaling species and become stressed, lose their colour, or hide when kept singly or in pairs.
What water parameters do Silver Hatchets need?
Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 6-7.5, 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 Silver Hatchets eat?
Silver Hatchets 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 Silver Hatchets good for beginners?
Yes - Silver Hatchets are a good beginner choice once the tank is fully cycled and you can keep a proper group. They are hardy but still need stable water and a school to feel secure.
Common mistakes with Silver Hatchets
- Buying fewer than 6 - Silver Hatchets need a proper school to feel secure; isolated individuals hide, fail to colour up, or become stressed.
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 Silver Hatchets
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
