Classification / Names
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Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Characiformes (Characins) >
Gasteropelecidae (Freshwater hatchetfishes)
Etymology: Gasteropelecus: Greek, gaster = stomach + Latin, pelecus =hatchet (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Freshwater; pelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 7.0; dH range: ? - 15. Tropical; 23°C - 27°C (Ref. 1672)
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 3.8 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 39056)
South America: Peruvian Amazon, middle Amazon, the Guianas and Venezuela (Ref. 39056). Recorded from the Paraguay basin (Ref. 81048).
Gregarious, can sometimes be aggressive or calm. Frequents slow-flowing waters of creeks and swamps (Ref. 27188). Lives in groups at the surface. It is capable of capturing small aerial insects. The females are bigger than the males. Feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020). Has not been bred in captivity (Ref. 27188). Aquarium specimens reach 6.5 cm TL (Ref. 7020). Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; may jump out of the aquarium; minimum aquarium size 80 cm (Ref. 51539).
Weitzman, S.H. and L. Palmer, 2003. Gasteropelecidae (Freshwater hatchetfishes). p. 101-103. In R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil.
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 90363)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates of some properties based on empirical models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.6270 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01000 (-0.30300 - 0.32300), b=3.04 (2.92 - 3.16), based on all LWR estimates for this BS (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.40 se; Based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months ().
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100) .