Family: Characidae
Distribution: Triportheus angulatus, otherwise known as the Dusky Narrow Hatchetfish, is a river-dwelling species that is distributed in the waters of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and Ecuador.
PH: 5.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 22°C – 30C (72 – 86F)
Hardness: 0 – 20
Description: Triportheus angulatus males can reach a maximum length of around 16 cm in an aquarium; females can get up to 18 cm. This species has extremely strong pectoral muscles which enable it to leap from the water to catch prey. If kept alone in a tank, this peaceful species will lose its colouration.
Diet: Triportheus angulatus feeds upon nekton, crustaceans and plankton in the wild, but will accept live, frozen and dried foods in an aquarium environment. This omnivore will enjoy a range of fruits, nuts, insects and seeds.
Breeding: There is not a great deal of information available on this species’ breeding habits. It appears it is yet to be bred in an aquarium environment.
Comments: Triportheus angulatus should be housed in a tank that is at least 110 litres in volume. You should probably give this top-dwelling species plenty of swimming space as it will often be dwelling just below the water’s surface. It is also a good idea to add a fair amount of floating vegetation and a sandy substrate. This species will need a high oxygen concentration in its tank. Remember to put a tight-fitting lid on the top of your tank to stop the fish from jumping out; its pectoral muscles will enable it to leap well clear of the water’s surface. Triportheus angulatus is difficult – perhaps impossible – to breed, but is otherwise a suitable species for beginners.
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Recommended Compatible Species: Triportheus angulatus can live happily with Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbaiand Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates. Just make sure the fish you put with your hatchetfish are not small enough to fit in their mouth.
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