Hatchetfish care

Water temperature

75–81°F

Keep hatchetfish at 75–81°F with a pH of 5.5–7.5, in a tank of at least 20 gallons. Good tank mates include bettas, kuhli loaches, tiger barbs.

Lives at the surface and jumps. Needs a tight lid.

Carnegiella strigata

pH

5.5–7.5

Minimum tank

20 gal

Adult size

1.5 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Groups of 6+

Lifespan

3–5 years

Swims at

Top

Diet

Carnivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• Kuhli loachYes
• Tiger barbYes
• CorydorasYes
• Cherry barbYes
• Rummy nose tetraYes
• Black neon tetraYes
• Ember tetraYes
• Neon tetraYes
• Chili rasboraYes
• Congo tetraYes
• Lemon tetraYes

Full hatchetfish tank mate chart: 60 yes, 20 with care, 18 no

Hatchetfish water compared

Fish to keep away from hatchetfish

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); hatchetfish need 75–81°F. No temperature suits both.
• Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive and will bully peaceful hatchetfish.
• Angelfish An adult angelfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches hatchetfish do.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches hatchetfish do.
• Elephant nose fish At 9 inches an elephant nose fish can swallow a 1.5-inch hatchetfish whole.
• Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches hatchetfish do.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); hatchetfish need 75–81°F. No temperature suits both.
• Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful hatchetfish.

More tetras and characins

• Neon tetra72–79°F
• Ember tetra73–84°F
• Congo tetra73–82°F
• Rummy nose tetra75–84°F
• Cardinal tetra76–84°F
• Black skirt tetra70–80°F
• Serpae tetra72–79°F
• Silver dollar75–82°F