PNWaquarist
Aquarium Advice Addict
A month or so ago, I solicited opinions on stocking options for the middle/top levels of my 29 gallon tank. Hatchets were suggested by several people. My initial impression of them at the LFS wasn't all that great, but I've warmed up to them recently and think that 5-6 Common/Silver Hatchets (Gasteropelecus sternicla) would fill a niche in my aquarium. I'm currently stocked with 8 Cardinal Tetras, 8 Rummynoses, 4 Sterbai Corys, and 2 Assassin Snails. I had hoped that my Cardinals would spend a lot more time in the middle of the tank, but that hasn't been the case. With the lower half of my tank constantly occupied, I'd really like a species that sticks to the upper third. My water parameters (3 dGH, pH 7.3-7.4, 77 deg F, some "dinge" from peat moss pellets and bog wood) should support hatchets.
However, I do have some concerns...
(1) The jumping. My understanding is that they do this when stressed. How do you keep them from leaping out of the tank during water changes? I imagine that I'd have to leave the lid on, though that may make algae removal difficult in some places. Also, I have a HOB filter and there is about a 1 cm gap between the tank lid and the stream of water that exits my filter. Would they try to exploit this? (They're certainly skinny enough to pull it off.)
(2) Floating plants. I've read in a few places that they're strongly recommended, and almost mandatory. Will hatchets be OK without them? My lighting is a standard 17 watt T8 bulb. Not terribly bright by most standards, but perhaps more so by hatchet standards.
(3) Feeding. From what I've read, it seems like they prefer (need?) twice-a-day feeding. Is that the case, or will they do well if only fed once per day?
Thanks in advance.
However, I do have some concerns...
(1) The jumping. My understanding is that they do this when stressed. How do you keep them from leaping out of the tank during water changes? I imagine that I'd have to leave the lid on, though that may make algae removal difficult in some places. Also, I have a HOB filter and there is about a 1 cm gap between the tank lid and the stream of water that exits my filter. Would they try to exploit this? (They're certainly skinny enough to pull it off.)
(2) Floating plants. I've read in a few places that they're strongly recommended, and almost mandatory. Will hatchets be OK without them? My lighting is a standard 17 watt T8 bulb. Not terribly bright by most standards, but perhaps more so by hatchet standards.
(3) Feeding. From what I've read, it seems like they prefer (need?) twice-a-day feeding. Is that the case, or will they do well if only fed once per day?
Thanks in advance.
