Cookies seem to be disabled in your browser, therefore this website will NOT work properly! Please, consider enabling Cookies in order to maximise your user experience while browsing.
Recent discussions at Aqua-Fish+
  1. ja at Aquarium Water Chemistry: Essential Guide to pH, Ammonia, Nitrites & More on
  2. ja at Comprehensive Care Guide for Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara) – Habitat, Breeding & Tank Setup on …display more of the recent discussions
  3. ja at Caring for Rainbow Sharks: Tank Setup, Behavior, and Maintenance Guide on
  4. ja at Comprehensive Guide to Clown Loach Care: Habitat, Diet, Behavior & Health on
  5. ja at Comprehensive Guide to White Cloud Mountain Minnow Care: Habitat, Diet, and Breeding on
  6. ja at A Comprehensive Guide to Aquarium Air Stones: Usage, Suppliers, and Product Images on
  7. ja at Comprehensive Guide to Caring for and Breeding Electric Blue Haps on
  8. ja at Complete Guide to Growing and Propagating Hygrophila Corymbosa in Aquariums on
  9. PondSealer at Garden Pond Guide: Design, Construction, Equipment & Year-Round Care on
  10. TheFishWorks at A guide on growing aquarium plants with FAQ, forum and species on
Spotfin hatchetfish - Thoracocharax stellatus

Spotfin hatchetfish - Thoracocharax stellatus

Scientific name: Thoracocharax stellatus

Common name: Spotfin hatchetfish

Family: Gasteropelecidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 7 - 8 cm (2.76 - 3.15 inch)

014

Recommended pH range: 6.3 - 7.4

Recommended water hardness: 3 - 15°N (53.57 - 267.86ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 23 - 29 °C (73.4 - 84.2°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Top levels

General Information

The Spotfin Hatchetfish (Thoracocharax stellatus) is a larger hatchetfish that skims the water’s surface in quiet backwaters and the margins of big rivers. It’s widely distributed across tropical South America, occurring in the Amazon, Orinoco and Paraguay–Paraná systems (also Tocantins–Araguaia), and is regularly collected in riparian zones with overhanging vegetation. Keep a proper shoal (≥8) for confidence, and always provide a tight-fitting lid—this species is an exceptional jumper.

Food and Feeding

A specialist surface insectivore: in the wild, the diet is overwhelmingly terrestrial insects (ants, beetles, mayflies), often taken by leaping at dawn/dusk. In aquaria, use quality floating flakes/micro-granules and rotate small live or frozen foods such as fruit flies, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, daphnia and finely chopped bloodworms. Offer small portions 1–2× daily; avoid sinking foods that miss the surface zone.

Sexing

External dimorphism is subtle; females are fuller-bodied when gravid. Sexing juveniles is unreliable.

Breeding

Egg-scattering spawner among floating plants. For years there were no reliable aquarium records; however, a documented first captive breeding was reported by TFH Magazine (Ostrava Zoo, 2021). It remains rare, and success likely hinges on very soft, clean water, subdued light, dense floating cover, abundant small live foods, and seasonal cues.

Lifespan

Realistic aquarium lifespan is about 3–7 years with excellent care; lower figures (2–5) are also reported for hatchetfishes generally.

Tank Requirements & Water Parameters

  • Tank size & cover: long tank with ample surface area; airtight lid with all gaps sealed (filters/heaters) to prevent jumping.
  • Environment: dark substrate, dense marginal planting and floating plants to diffuse light; gentle flow; high oxygenation; top-open lanes for schooling.
  • Water: soft to medium and slightly acidic to neutral works well.
  • Maintenance: weekly small–medium water changes; avoid sudden parameter swings.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Peaceful, schooling surface fish. Combine with calm mid-bottom companions that won’t outcompete at the surface (small rasboras/tetras, peaceful dwarf cichlids, Corydoras). Avoid fin-nippers, boisterous fish, and large predators.

Behaviour & Usual Place in the Tank

Top levels: cruises just under the surface and dashes to intercept insects; spends most time in the upper 5–10 cm of the water column. Provide shade and cover to reduce skittishness.

Short Description

Spotfin Hatchetfish (Thoracocharax stellatus) is a larger, surface-dwelling South American hatchetfish. Keep in groups under a tight lid, feed small floating insect-like foods, and offer dim, plant-shaded surface cover. Captive breeding is rare but has been achieved.

Q&A

  • Where is it from exactly? Amazon, Orinoco and Paraguay–Paraná basins (plus Tocantins–Araguaia); records span many countries from Argentina to Venezuela.
  • How big? Among the largest hatchetfishes: up to ~6.7 cm SL reported; aquarium trade commonly 4–6 cm TL.
  • Can they breed in home aquaria? Very rarely; first well-documented aquarium breeding was published in 2021 by TFH (zoo setting).

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.

Spotfin hatchetfish picture 1 Spotfin hatchetfish picture 2 Spotfin hatchetfish picture 3

Did you know?

Please, verify whether your login and password are valid. If you don't have an account here, register one free of charge, please. Click here to close this box.

You have been logged out successfully! This box will close automatically!

Something went wrong during processing your message, please try again!

Your message has been sent, thanks a lot!

Page has been saved, refresh it now, please!

The page has been created, you will now be redirected!

URL already exists!

Path to the photo is not unique!

Really delete this page from the database?

The page has been removed successfully, you will be redirected now!

The page couldn't be deleted!!

Unfortunately this page doesn't allow discussion. Please, find any other page that fits your area of interest as over 99% of our pages allow discussion. The reason why no discussion is allowed here is this page is too general. Thanks a lot for understanding! Click here to search, please!

Really delete this comment from the site?

Really delete this image from the site?

Really delete this image from the site?

Selected comment has been removed successfully!

Selected image has been removed successfully!

Either login or email address is required

Account has been recovered, please check your email for further instructions