SCIENTIFIC NAME: CARNEGIELLA STRIGATA 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. This species also has an upturned mouth characteristic of true surface feeders. The hatchetfishes of the family Gasteropelecidae leap from the water and fly through the air, flapping their large pectoral fins to catch flying insects. They are generally accepted as being the only true "flyingfish". There are a number of fish that can leap out of the water, but only these freshwater hatchetfish actually use their pectoral fins to aid in their flight. These freshwater hatchetfish can fly a distance of more than 4 feet. Once they are in the air, they will move their pectoral fins like a bird's wings. The ability for the freshwater hatchetfish to fly is really astounding, but it is somewhat of a problem in the aquarium. The tank needs a tight fitting lid to keep these fish from leaping out of the tank to their demise. 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, and a low pH of 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.
