Edit Thoracocharax stellatus
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Name
Scientific name
Thoracocharax stellatus
Described by
Authority Kner, Year 1858, Bracketed
Family
Gasteropelecidae
Common names
Spotfin Hatchetfish
Photograph credits
3 of 4 credited
Summary
The spotfin hatchetfish, Thoracocharax stellatus, is the most widespread neotropical hatchetfish, recorded from much of South America. It i…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
70mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 5–7.5
Hardness
1–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Amazon, Apa, Apure, Araguaia, Comambo, Confuso, Cuiabá, de la Plata, Guaporé, Guárico, Heath, Iaco, Madeira, Madre De Dios, Mamore, Manú, Manuripi, Marañón, Meta, Metica, Nanay, Napo, Negro, Orinoco, Pantanal, Paraguay, Paraná, Pastaza, Purus, Putumayo, Solimões, Tahuamanu, Tamshiyacu, Tiputini, Tocantins, Ucayali, Yacu, Yavarí
Writing
Etymology
Thoracocharax: derived from the Greek θώραξ (thṓraks), meaning 'breastplate, cuirass', and the generic name Charax, type genus of the Order Characiformes, itse…
Distribution
The most widespread of all neotropical hatchetfishes; it has been recorded throughout much of South America including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Per…
Habitat
Has been recorded in both black and clear water streams, tributaries, backwaters, oxbows, and inundated floodplains. Most often found in areas with an abundanc…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with surface dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered.
Maintenance
Cover a good portion of the water surface with floating plants, which will help to make this flighty species less skittish. It seems to enjoy a bit of current …
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Remaining close to the shore, it feeds primarily on insects; a study (Netto-Ferreira et al, 2007)[2] determined that 99.6% of the diet of this fish consists of…
Behaviour and compatibility
Very peaceful but it can be nervous, and will not compete well with boisterous species for food. Good tankmates include other fish that inhabit different parts…
Sexual dimorphism
Females are noticeably rounder-bodied than males when full of eggs.
Reproduction
Unrecorded.
Notes
T. stellatus is superficially similar to its only congener T. securis, but can immediately be identified by the presence (vs. absence) of a prominent dark spot…
References
References
9 on this profile