Black-winged Hatchetfish

A tiny, silver hatchetfish with a deep chest and a dark line along the edge of its keel. It stays at the surface, jumps when startled and needs soft, acidic water.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Mature females are usually rounder in the belly, and males are usually slimmer and often brighter.

A long tank with open swimming water, plants around the edges and steady filtration suits this fish. A darker substrate and some floating plants usually bring out its colour.

Active and social, and most settled when kept with its own kind.

Keep a group of at least 6, and more if you can. Larger groups are calmer and show better colour and behaviour.

Not territorial, although males may spar and display.

Suits a community of similar-sized, peaceful fish that like the same water. Avoid large predators, which will treat it as food. It may eat baby shrimp. Choose its tankmates with care.

Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.

A surface feeder that snaps up small insects. Give floating foods such as fine flake, crushed freeze-dried foods, fruit flies and mosquito larvae; food that sinks is usually ignored.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

Not commonly bred in aquariums, and little has been recorded about how it spawns.