Spotfin Silver Hatchet (Thoracocharax stellatus)

An iconic aquarium fish popular in the hobby for decades, the Spotfin Silver Hatchet is the most widespread of all its relatives in the wild, found through all of Northern South America and some of the southern Amazon tributaries as well. In the aquarium, they are hardy and peaceful schooling fish that will do best in groups of 8 or more. This species is shy by nature and fast moving, large, or aggressive tankmates should be avoided. Their tank should be kept tightly covered as they are easily spooked and likely to jump out if given the opportunity. As a surface feeder, they primarily eat tiny insects in the wild but will accept flake and other small floating foods like freeze dried bloodworms in the aquarium. The Spotfin Silver Hatchet can be distinguished from the common silver hatchet and other similar species by their large, light silver scales and lack of any black pigment except for the spot on the dorsal fin.