Marbled Hatchet Fish

🔥 Marbled Hatchetfish (Carnegiella strigata)
Add a delicate surface-dwelling gem to your aquarium with the elegant Marbled Hatchetfish. Carnegiella strigata Known for their distinctive marble-like patterning and unique “flying” ability, these small fish are true specialists of the upper water layer. Peaceful, lightweight, and endlessly fascinating to watch, they glide just beneath the surface and dart with surprising speed when active.

Their leaf-shaped bodies and subtle mottled markings make them a natural fit for blackwater and planted aquariums where surface calmness allows their behaviour to shine.

🌿 Why Choose Marbled Hatchetfish?
🎨 Unique marbled patterning with subtle brown and silver tones
🪽 Incredible surface “gliding” and jumping ability
🐠 Peaceful schooling species ideal for community tanks
🌿 Occupies the top water layer, adding vertical interest
⭐ Perfect for natural, blackwater-style aquascapes

In a well-maintained aquarium, Marbled Hatchetfish hover just beneath the surface, occasionally making short gliding bursts that give the impression of “flying” across the tank.

📏 Care Requirements
🧬 Scientific Name: Carnegiella strigata
📛 Common Name: Marbled Hatchetfish
🏠 Tank Size: 60L+
📏 Adult Size: ~3.5–4.5 cm
🌡️ Temperature: 24–28°C
⚗️ pH Range: 5.5–7.0
🧘 Temperament: Peaceful (can be skittish)
🍽️ Diet: Flakes, micro pellets, frozen and live foods (daphnia, fruit flies, baby brine shrimp)
👥 Group Size: 6–10+ recommended

Marbled Hatchetfish thrive in calm aquariums with minimal surface agitation, floating plants, and subdued lighting.

🐠 Compatibility
Best suited to peaceful community aquariums with small tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, and other gentle species. Avoid aggressive or fast-moving tank mates that may stress them.

⚠️ Important Notes
A tightly fitting lid is essential, as they are excellent jumpers. They prefer calm water surfaces and do best in well-established, stable aquariums with low stress environments.

A fantastic choice for UK aquarists wanting a unique surface fish that adds movement, subtle patterning, and natural “flying” behaviour to the aquarium.