Species · Gasteropelecus sternicla

Silver hatchetfish: tank size, water and tank mates

Nervous surface dweller; jumper - lid required.

Adult size4 cm (1.6 in)
Minimum tank40 US gal
Temperature23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
pH6–7
Temperamentpeaceful
Keep in groups of6+
Swimstop
Shrimp & snailsUsually safe

Check a tank with Silver hatchetfish

Good tank mates for Silver hatchetfish

These species share its temperature range and temperament, with no fin-nipping or predation risk under our rules. Still check your tank size and bioload in the checker.

African dwarf frog · Amano shrimp · Assassin snail · Banjo catfish · Betta (male) · Black neon tetra · Black phantom tetra · Black ruby barb · Black skirt tetra · Bleeding heart tetra · Bloodfin tetra · Bristlenose pleco · Bronze corydoras · Buenos Aires tetra · Bumblebee goby · Cardinal tetra · Celestial pearl danio · Checkerboard barb · Cherry barb · Cherry shrimp · Chili rasbora · Clown killifish · Clown pleco · Colombian tetra

Avoid with Silver hatchetfish

African butterflyfish (predation) · Banded archerfish (predation) · Black ghost knifefish (predation) · Blue acara (predation) · Boeseman's rainbowfish (temperature) · Common / comet goldfish (temperature) · Convict cichlid (predation) · Demasoni cichlid (aggression) · Discus (temperature) · Fancy goldfish (temperature) · German blue ram (temperature) · Jack Dempsey (predation) · Jewel cichlid (predation) · Medaka (temperature) · Oscar (predation) · Paradise fish (temperature) · Pea puffer (aggression) · Pictus catfish (predation)

Sources

Checked 2026-11-09 · confidence: medium. These are cautious community guidelines, not guarantees. Not veterinary advice. Report an error.