Family: Gasteropelecidae
Distribution: Carnegiella marthae, otherwise known as the Blackwing Hatchetfish, is distributed in South America, specifically the Negro and upper Orinoco River basins.
PH: 5.5 – 6.5
Temperature: 23°C – 27°C (73 – 81F)
Hardness: 2 – 4 dH
Description: Carnegiella marthae is a small species with a maximum length of 2.8 cm. It has a unique, slender body, a deep belly and high-set pectoral fins, along with an upturned mouth which it uses to catch insects in the wild. This species usually comes in silver colour with black stripes and patches over its body. It has a horizontal stripe – usually gold coloured – which runs from its gills to the base of its tail. Its pectoral fins are transparent and make up almost half of its entire body length, giving it a distinctive appearance.
Diet: This surface dwelling species enjoys a live-food diet, primarily of mosquito larvae, small flying insects, daphnia and flake foods. It will also accept freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex and other meaty foods.
Breeding: The Blackwing Hatchetfish is reportedly tough to breed. You will need to use soft, peat filtered water and keep the adult pair apart for the weeks leading up to spawning, feeding them a strict diet of drosophila and mosquito larvae. After 2 – 3 weeks of separation, put the pair in a 10 gallon tank and provide plenty of plants for the female to lay her eggs on. The female will lay 2 – 5 eggs on floating plants near the surface, at which point both parents should be removed. The fry will hatch in 1 -2 days and can be fed on brine shrimp after a week.
Comments: Carnegiella marthae will enjoy a well-planted aquarium of at least 10 gallons in volume. Make sure you keep a cover on your tank to prevent this species from jumping out onto the kitchen floor. The Blackwing Hatchetfish is very delicate and requires special attention, and is recommended to those with plenty of experience in the hobby.
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Recommended Compatible Species: Carnegiella marthae can live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gouramiand Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
