Common hatchetfish
Small freshwater fish from South America
The common hatchetfish is a small ray-finned species native to South American river basins. It inhabits fresh waters across the Amazon and Orinoco regions and is kept in home aquariums.
- Native to South American river basins
- Found in Amazon and Orinoco systems
- Kept as a freshwater aquarium fish
- Belongs to family Gasteropelecidae
What it is
The common hatchetfish, also called the river hatchetfish, is a species of ray-finned fish. It belongs to the family Gasteropelecidae, known as freshwater hatchetfish. This small creature lives in fresh water rather than salt water. Its body shape and classification distinguish it from marine relatives. The scientific name for this species is Gasteropelecus sternicla. It is one of several types of hatchetfish found in tropical regions.
Where it lives
This fish is native to South America. It inhabits many major river systems across the continent. Populations exist in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. They are also found in the Essequibo and Tocantins-Araguaia rivers. The Mearim and upper Paraguay basins host this species too. Coastal drainages in the Guianas provide suitable habitat. Records confirm its presence in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Trinidad.
Fish and people
The common hatchetfish appears on lists of freshwater aquarium species. Hobbyists keep these fish in home tanks. Their unique appearance makes them interesting for observation. They are part of the trade in ornamental freshwater fish. People who study aquatic life may encounter them in captivity.
Questions people ask about Common hatchetfish
Where does the common hatchetfish live?
It lives in freshwater basins across South America. You can find it in the Amazon, Orinoco, and other major river systems. It is also present in coastal drainages in the Guianas and countries like Brazil and Peru.
Is the common hatchetfish a saltwater fish?
No, it is a freshwater species. It belongs to the family Gasteropelecidae, which consists of freshwater hatchetfish. It does not live in the ocean or saline environments.
Can you keep this fish in an aquarium?
Yes, it is listed as a freshwater aquarium fish species. Hobbyists often keep them in tanks. They are valued for their presence in home aquatic setups rather than for food or sport.
Good reading and sources
- Common hatchetfish on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Common hatchetfish", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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