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The Marbled Hatchetfish (Carnegiella strigata) is a captivating and unique freshwater species known for its distinctive body shape and aerial acrobatics. Originating from the slow-moving, heavily vegetated waters of South America, particularly the Amazon Basin, these small, peaceful fish are easily recognized by their highly compressed, deep body resembling a tiny hatchet or axe head. Their most striking feature is their ability to 'fly' or glide above the water's surface, propelled by powerful pectoral fins, a behavior primarily used to escape predators in the wild. The Marbled Hatchetfish typically sports an attractive silvery body adorned with an intricate, dark, marbled or zig-zag pattern along its flanks, which provides excellent camouflage. Reaching a maximum size of about 1.5 inches (4 cm), they are ideally suited for community aquariums with other small, peaceful species. Due to their surface-dwelling nature and propensity to jump, a tightly fitting lid is absolutely essential for their enclosure. They thrive in well-planted aquariums with dim lighting, gentle water flow, and a diet consisting primarily of small, high-quality flake foods, micro-pellets, and especially small live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and fruit flies. Marbled Hatchetfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six or more to ensure their comfort and display their natural behaviors. Maintaining stable water parameters with a pH between 6.0-7.0, soft to moderately hard water, and temperatures around 73-80°F (23-27°C) will allow these fascinating fish to flourish.

Top-dweller; tank must be covered.