Save the Little Fish

Saving the world’s tropical fish, one tank at a time.

Marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata

Tetras · Carnegiella

Marbled hatchetfish

Carnegiella strigata · Amazon basin, Peru and Brazil

Photo: SOK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via iNaturalist

The Marbled hatchetfish (Carnegiella strigata) is a freshwater fish from Amazon basin, Peru and Brazil, where it lives in blackwater stream habitat. Adults reach about 3.5 cm (1.4 in). Keep it at 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) and pH 5.5–7, in calm water. It is peaceful and does best in a group of 6 or more. Feed meaty foods: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality sinking pellets.

At a glance

Water temperature

24–28 °C 75–82 °F

pH

5.5–7 soft, acidic water

Adult size

3.5 cm 1.4 in

Swims

Top mostly at the surface

Keep together

6 or more a shoal feels safe

Current

Calm still or slow water

Food

Meaty foods

Temperament

Peaceful

≈ Every value here is an estimate from typical hobby ranges. We're checking them against sources.

Where it comes from

Home water

Amazon basin, Peru and Brazil

Lives in blackwater stream habitat.

The dot marks where it's collected. Home from iNaturalist native sightings (30). Map: Natural Earth.

Tank mates

Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with low flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.

In the hobby

In stock now

Not in stock at any store we track.

From keepers

Keep the lid on: two jumped before we sealed the gaps.

Questions keepers ask

How big does a Marbled hatchetfish get?

About 3.5 cm (1.4 in) as an adult.

What temperature does a Marbled hatchetfish need?

24–28 °C (75–82 °F).

What pH does a Marbled hatchetfish need?

pH 5.5–7.

Does a Marbled hatchetfish need to be kept in a group?

Yes. Keep at least 6.

Is the Marbled hatchetfish aggressive?

No. It is peaceful with fish that suit the same water.

What does a Marbled hatchetfish eat?

Feed meaty foods: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality sinking pellets.

Where does the Marbled hatchetfish come from?

Amazon basin, Peru and Brazil.

What fish can live with a Marbled hatchetfish?

Good tank mates include Candy stripe (L015), Leopard frog (L134), Amano shrimp, Boeseman's rainbowfish, Bolivian ram.

All the numbers

Temperature min (°C)24 Estimate
Temperature max (°C)28 Estimate
pH min5.5 Estimate
pH max7 Estimate
Adult size (cm)3.5 Estimate
FlowLow Estimate
Habitatblackwater Estimate
Smallest happy group6 Estimate
TemperamentPeaceful Estimate
DietCarnivore Estimate
Behaviour tagsjumper Estimate
Typical price min (CAD)4 Estimate
Typical price max (CAD)8 Estimate

Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.