Care
The Giant Silver Hatchetfish is a surface-hugging species from sluggish softwater environments in the Amazon River basin, where there is an abundance of thick overhanging vegetation, fallen branches, roots, and leaf litter. The home aquarium should be biologically mature and well filtered, but water movement should be kept as gentle as possible. Soft, acidic water is preferable, and this can be helped along with the addition of peat to the aquarium filter. Dark décor and plenty of bogwood, caves, and planting - including floating species - will all help these fish to feel secure. It is imperative that the tank has tight fitting coverslides as these fish are highly skilled jumpers (in the wild this species has been observed leaving the water and flying some 2.75m/9ft); and do ensure there are no escape holes where equipment feeds into the tank (block any gaps with filter sponge). Giant Silver Hatchetfish are a timid shoaling species, which congregate in large numbers in nature; for this reason, they must be kept in groups of 6 or more (10+ is better) in order to feel secure and display natural behaviour. Tankmates must be small and peaceful, as Giant Silver Hatchetfish are easily intimidated. Good companions could include small peaceable tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras catfish, dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma or Mikrogeophagus, and some of the smaller Loricariidae (suckermouth catfish). Much attention must be paid to water quality since Giant Silver Hatchets can be sensitive to elevated nitrates and swings in water chemistry. At present, this species is not being bred on a commercial basis, and so the fish seen in the trade are almost always wild caught; for this reason it is especially important to quarantine new purchases before adding to the main aquarium. May also be seen on sale as the Giant Hatchetfish or Silver Hatchetfish.
Feeding
Flake, micropellets, small frozen foods e.g. bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, black mosquito larvae, daphnia, and baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii), plus fruitflies (Drosophila sp.).
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
