The freshwater hatchetfish are a family, Gasteropelecidae, of ray-finned fish from South and Central America. The common hatchetfish is the most popular member among fish keeping hobbyists. The family includes three genera: Carnegiella (four species), Gasteropelecus (three species), and Thoracocharax (two species).

Freshwater hatchetfish
Blackwinged hatchetfish (Carnegiella marthae)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Suborder:	Characoidei
Superfamily:	Characoidea
Family:	Gasteropelecidae
Genera
See text

Distribution and habitat

Freshwater hatchetfish originate from Panama and South America (though they are absent from Chile). They tend to be an upper-level fish, often swimming directly below the surface of the water, biding their time patiently.

Size

When fully grown, freshwater hatchetfish range in size from 1 inch up to 2 1/2 inches. One exception is the Giant Hatchetfish Thoracocharax securis which can grow up to 3 1/2 inches. The smallest being the two species, the Pygmy hatchetfish Carnegiella myersi which only grows to about 0.9 inch (2.2 centimeters), the Dwarf Hatchetfish Carnegiella schereri which only grows to about 1 inch (2.6 centimeters).[1]

Flight

The most obvious trait of the freshwater hatchetfish is their enormously enlarged sternal region. This is accompanied by large pectoral fins and "extraordinarily powerful" associated muscles which account for up to one-quarter of their total body weight. "Quick beats of the pectoral fins" allow hatchetfish to "lift themselves half out of the water and glide along the surface ... Some species can even leave the water for short stretches"[2] Because of this ability to fly and tendency to jump, aquaria used to keep hatchetfish should have a tightly sealed cover to prevent these fish from escaping.

Genera

The genera in this family are:

• Carnegiella
• Gasteropelecus
• Thoracocharax

References

Further reading

• "Gasteropelecidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
• Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). "Gasteropelecidae" in FishBase. October 2011 version.
• Nelson, Joseph S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-25031-7

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