Kingdom Animalia Order Characiformes Scientific name Gasteropelecidae Rank Family | Phylum Chordata Superfamily Characoidea Higher classification Characiformes | |
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Lower classifications Marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella, Common hatchetfish, Gasteropelecus, Black‑winged hatchetfish | ||
The freshwater hatchetfishes 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).
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Distribution and habitat
Freshwater hatchetfishes 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.
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" 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:
Additional reading
