Silver Hatchetfish
- In stock, ready to ship
- Live Arrival Guarantee
- All our live fish, shrimp, snails are care with love and passion, when through minimum of 14 days quarantined and shipped from Splashy Fish facility in Springfield, Virginia, USA
This is only apply to live fish order.
What is Our Live Arrival Guarantee?
Benefit from our extensive experience in shipping live fish. In 2021, our records indicated a mere 0.5% dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate for all live fish orders, compared to the industry standard of 1.5%. These numbers translate to only 5 out of 1000 orders experiencing DOA fish.
At Splashy Fish, customer satisfaction is our priority. That's why we provide a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all animals shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Please note - Splashy Fish reserves the right to void Live Arrival Guarantee protection under the following circumstances:
- The customer has chosen USPS First Class Mail as a shipping method.
- The shipping address is a PO Box address
- The order was refused delivery by the customer.
- If the order is returned to the sender for any reason. For instance, an incorrect shipping address, an undeliverable address, etc.
- The order was held for pick up at USPS, UPS, and FedEx offices for longer than 24 hours after the last update on the tracking number.
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not include all the requirements mentioned below
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim is made after the claim period mentioned below.
- The animals are not in their original packaging
Live Arrival Guarantee Claim Period:
For Live Fish and other invertebrates, one and a half hours (1.5 hours) after the posted delivery time.
For Snails: 48 hours after the posted delivery time.
Steps to claim Splashy Fish's Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Take a picture of the shipping box and the shipping label.
- For live fish and other invertebrates: Please provide two pictures of each bag (containing the dead fish) upon arrival. Ensure the images display the bag in its original, unopened condition with the original rubber band intact
- For Snails: Position the snail in one corner of the tank. If the snail does not move within 48 hours, please take several pictures of the snail's opening
- Send an email to DOA@splashyfishstore.com with the subject line: DOA and Your Order Number, or message us on social media.
- In the body of the email, include your tracking number.
- The claim must be sent within the claim period mentioned above.
After submitting the required information, please allow us 1-3 business days to determine the cause of the issue. If the claim is valid and approved by our team, you will
- Receive a store credit for future purchases, excluding the shipping cost, of the dead-on-arrival fish
If the Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not meet all listed requirements, Splashy Fish reserves the right to reject it.
Shipping live animals and plants is a complex process, and temperature plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and secure delivery of your order.
If the highest daytime temperature in your location and the lowest nighttime temperature here in Springfield, Virginia—where our facility is situated—fall below 40°F or exceed 90°F, we will proactively delay your order. This measure is taken to prioritize the well-being of the animals and plants.
For the safety of our living cargo and to protect your investment, we retain the right to suspend shipping as necessary due to extreme weather conditions. Our Splashy Fish team will assess the situation and determine if it is unsuitable to ship, considering the safety of the animals.
To stay informed or address any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Splashy Fish Support team via email at support@splashyfishstore.com.
Once our team prints and packs your order, we'll notify you via email. This notification will include your tracking number and the expected arrival day. If you opt for UPS 2 Day shipping, your package should arrive within 2 days after shipment. Similarly, if you choose UPS 1 Day, your order will reach you the day after it is shipped. In the case of orders containing only plants or dry goods, they may be shipped via USPS, provided that this is the selected shipping option during checkout.
We ship all of the customer orders from our warehouse located in Springfield, VA. We pack and ship our orders depending on the orders with the exception of someday we cannot ship out live fish.
All Orders: will be shipped out from Monday to Thursday each week for overnight shipping by UPS.
Sunday: (Splashy Day) Today is the day we let our hard-working team members and our fish to destress and ready for the following week's shipment.
For more information regarding about shipping please visit us our Shipping Policy and Schedule
The Silver Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus sternicla) is a fascinating freshwater species prized for its distinctive body shape, shimmering silver coloration, and surface-dwelling behavior. With a body shaped like a tiny hatchet blade and oversized pectoral fins, the Silver Hatchetfish is specially adapted to glide and leap above the water, making it one of the most unique fish available for home aquariums.
Native to the slow-moving rivers, floodplains, and tributaries of South America, the Silver Hatchet fish inhabits calm waters with floating vegetation and overhanging plants. In the wild, these fish feed primarily on insects at the water’s surface, using their powerful chest muscles to leap out of the water to catch prey.
In aquariums, Hatchetfish remain near the top of the tank, creating a layered swimming effect when paired with mid- and bottom-dwelling species. Their calm temperament and schooling nature make them a favorite among aquarists looking to add surface activity without aggression.
A full-grown Silver Hatchetfish typically reaches 2–2.5 inches (5–6.5 cm) in length. Their laterally compressed, axe-shaped body is bright silver with a metallic sheen that reflects light beautifully. Transparent fins and a streamlined profile give them an elegant, almost floating appearance at the water’s surface. Their enlarged pectoral fins are not just decorative. They power the fish’s impressive jumping ability, which is why a secure lid is essential for any hatchet fish tank.
Silver Hatchetfish are peaceful, schooling fish that thrive when kept in groups of 6 or more. When kept in proper numbers, they are calm, confident, and rarely show stress-related behavior. Ideal Silver Hatchetfish tank mates include: Tetras, Rasboras, Corydoras catfish, small Rainbowfish, peaceful dwarf cichlids, shrimp, and snails. Avoid aggressive or fast-moving surface fish that may outcompete them for food. A calm aquarium environment with floating plants helps them feel secure and display natural behavior.
At our Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Silver Hatchetfish for sale and other freshwater fish for sale are carefully selected and packed with love! Visit us to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for more betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, live aquatic plants for sale, and aquarium supplies.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS FISH:
- Unique hatchet-shaped body with metallic silver shine
- Peaceful surface-dwelling schooling fish
- Grows up to 2.5 inches which is ideal for community aquariums
- Adds movement to the top level of the tank
- Hardy when kept in stable, covered aquariums
- Excellent choice for planted and blackwater setups
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons
- Temperature: 74°–82°F (23°–28°C)
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: 2–12 dGH
- Water Flow: Gentle to moderate
- Tank Cover: Tight-fitting lid required
CARE GUIDELINES:
- Diet: Omnivorous with a strong preference for surface foods. Feed floating pellets, flakes, freeze-dried insects, frozen foods, and live foods such as fruit flies or mosquito larvae.
- Tank Setup: Floating plants, subdued lighting, and calm water conditions mimic their natural habitat and reduce stress.
- Behavior: Calm, social, and surface-oriented. Best kept in schools to promote confidence and reduce jumping behavior.
Silver Hatchetfish Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many Silver Hatchetfish should I keep together?
Silver Hatchetfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6, though 8–10 is ideal. Larger groups help them feel secure, reduce stress, and encourage natural surface-schooling behavior. When kept in proper numbers, silver hatchetfish are calmer, more confident, and far less likely to hide or jump.
How big do Silver Hatchetfish get?
A full-grown Silver Hatchetfish typically reaches 2–2.5 inches (5–6.5 cm). Their compact size makes them well-suited for medium community aquariums, especially when paired with mid- and bottom-dwelling fish that occupy different water levels.
Are Silver Hatchetfish aggressive?
No. Silver Hatchetfish are peaceful, non-aggressive fish that do very well in community tanks. They rarely show aggression toward other fish and prefer calm tank mates. Keeping them in schools and providing floating plants and a secure lid helps minimize stress and ensures natural, relaxed behavior.
