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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

Where does this come from?

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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