Gasteropelecus sternicla (Linnaeus, 1758)
River hatchetfish
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Gasteropelecidae (Freshwater hatchetfishes)
Max. size:  3.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7; dH range: 15
Distribution:  South America: Peruvian Amazon, middle Amazon, the Guianas and Venezuela (Ref. 39056). Recorded from the Paraguay basin (Ref. 81048).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Gregarious, can sometimes be aggressive or calm. Frequents slow-flowing waters of creeks and swamps (Ref. 27188). Lives in groups at the surface. It is capable of capturing small aerial insects. The females are bigger than the males. Feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020). Has not been bred in captivity (Ref. 27188). Aquarium specimens reach 6.5 cm TL (Ref. 7020). Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; may jump out of the aquarium; minimum aquarium size 80 cm (Ref. 51539).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 October 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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