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Home > Freshwater Fish > Hatchets > Marble Hatchet
Marble Hatchet (Carnegiella strigata)
Marble Hatchet
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Marble Hatchet (Carnegiella strigata)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
Additional locales and sizes may be available!

Quick Stats

Care Level Moderate
Temperament Peaceful
Color Form Green, Orange, Red, Tan
Diet Carnivore
Water Conditions 75-81° F, KH 10-18, pH 5.5-7.5
Max. Size 1¼"
Family Gasteropelecidae
Minimum Tank Size 20 gallons
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level Moderate
Temperament Peaceful
Color Form Green, Orange, Red, Tan
Diet Carnivore
Water Conditions 75-81° F, KH 10-18, pH 5.5-7.5
Max. Size 1¼"
Family Gasteropelecidae
Minimum Tank Size 20 gallons
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information

Overview

The Marble Hatchet is among the more popular species of fish thanks to its unique shape. Like other Hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata has a slender body with a deep belly and pectoral fins set high on the body. But the Marble Hatchet also boasts a subtle rainbow of colors that dresses its stunningly shiny brown body. The Marble Hatchet also has an upturned mouth characteristic of true surface feeders.

Native to the rivers of South America, the Marble Hatchet prefers a heavily planted aquarium. It also requires a few floating plants, beneath which the Marble Hatchet can hide. Active schoolers, this member of the Gasteropelecidae family does best when kept in groups of six or more. But since the Marble Hatchet will jump out of the water, an aquarium hood is necessary to help keep the Marble Hatchet safe and contained. In addition, the Marble Hatchet requires excellent water quality.

The Marble Hatchet breeds in soft water (about 5°), and a low pH (about 6.0). A diet of fresh mosquito larvae and fruit flies may trigger spawning and the depositing of eggs on floating plants. The eggs hatch within 36 hours and the fry should be fed a quality live food such as brine shrimp.

A carnivore, the Marble Hatchet will eat floating foods such as freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex, high quality flake food, mosquito larvae, small flies, and some other meaty live or frozen foods.

Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1"

Customer Testimonials

Mike Summers Idaho Falls , ID
I've really enjoyed mine, however it is quite true what they say about them sticking to the surface. I have a hood that fits over my aquarium and blocks about 2 inches from view off the top of the aquarium. Thus I NEVER see them. IF you have such a set-up, keep that in mind. Otherwise they're great.
Eric McCray Hickory , NC
The Marble Hatchet is a truly amazing and wonderful fish! It adds beautiful color and is by far one of the favorite species of fish I have added to my aquarium. It does well with most any other community fish (when provided with correct water conditions) and only seems to show aggression towards other strictly surface feeders. The only problem I've ever had with it is jumping out of the aquarium (nothing a good lid couldn't handle). So, if you've got a tight lid on your aquarium, give this fish a try. It will provide intrigue to even the most advanced aquarist!
Grace Taylor Constantine , MI
I haven't owned these fish in a long time and have greatly missed them. Until I found this great site. Outside of this site, they are very hard to find and the other Hatches. I recommend this fish to any one with a community tank that is covered by a lid.
1-3 of 3 testimonials

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