Platinum hatchet belly - Thoracocharax stellatus

The Platinum Hatchetfish (Thoracocharax securis, also Thoracochoarax stellatus) from the Amazon River in South America, is a tetra. The unusual shape of this pretty aquarium fish gives it its name - the shape of its belly is roughly hatchet-shaped, The pectoral fins are very large, and it is said that the Platinum Hatchetfish can jump up to 10 meters because it uses its pectoral fins like wings. The fish are a solid silvery color and have a beautiful shimmer. Some specimens have an implied darker lateral line that shimmers bluish in sunlight.

The Platinum Hatchetfish is a highly surface-oriented ornamental fish. With a body length of up to 9 inches, the hatchetfish grows to an impressive size, being the largest of its genus. When old, the fish grows as tall as it is long, making it an impressive sight in the aquarium. This schooling fish is thus a case for aquariums 300 liters or larger.

The Platinum Hatchetfish is a schooling fish, like all tetras. It must therefore be kept in a group of at least 6-10 conspecifics. This South American species can be well socialized with medium-sized by-fish, and the schooling fish also goes well with large loricariid catfish or South American cichlids. Dwarf shrimps are on the menu of the large tetras, but they can be socialized with Amano shrimps . Also with dwarf crayfish or crayfish the keeping can work. Since the Platinum Hatchetfish spends most of its time just below the surface of the aquarium, the crayfish and fish don't really get in each other's way.

The Platinum Hatchetfish needs soft to medium hard water in the aquarium and a pH in the slightly acidic to neutral range. The humic substance content should be high. The aquarium for the Platinum Hatchetfish needs free swimming space and good perimeter planting. A dark substrate and floating plants give the aquarium fish security and dim too bright light. The large hatchetfish like to stand between the roots of the floating plants under the leaves. The cover should close tightly, because these hatchetfish are powerful jumpers.

Nothing is known about the breeding of the Platinum Hatchetfish in the aquarium. However, it can be assumed that like most tetras, they need acidic, very soft and very clean water to get into spawning mood. As a rule, tetras are free spawners. A layer of marbles, large pebbles or a spawning grate will protect the eggs from the parent fish. Slipperfish and later artemiauplia are very suitable for feeding the fry of tetras.

Platinum hatchetfish are carnivores. In the wild, these strongly surface-oriented tetras specialize in approach foods, small crustaceans and insect larvae. In the aquarium they like to eat Live food or Frozen food. Drosophila, fed from the water surface, are optimal food for them. Flake food or granulated food for omnivores are not suitable for hatchetfish, they lead to a shortened life expectancy. Good, on the other hand, is food for carnivorous cichlids.

Our food recommendationNatureHolic Cichfeed is a prime staple food for all carnivores in the aquarium, perfectly meeting their requirements for food composition. The tasty pearls are also very well eaten by larger tetras. Thanks to their soft texture, NatureHolic Cichfeed food pearls are gentle on the mouth and can be eaten very well by the fish.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.