Gasteropelecidae
Freshwater hatchetfish | |
---|---|
Carnegiella marthae )
| |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Characiformes |
Suborder: | Characoidei
|
Superfamily: | Characoidea |
Family: | Gasteropelecidae |
Genera | |
See text |
The freshwater hatchetfish are a
(two species).Distribution and habitat
Freshwater hatchetfish originate from Panama and South America (though they are absent from Chile). They tend to be an upper-level fish, often swimming directly below the surface of the water, biding their time patiently.
Size
When fully grown, freshwater hatchetfish range in size from 1 inch up to 2 1/2 inches. One exception is the Giant Hatchetfish Thoracocharax securis which can grow up to 3 1/2 inches. The smallest being the two species, the Pygmy hatchetfish Carnegiella myersi which only grows to about 0.9 inch (2.2 centimeters), the Dwarf Hatchetfish Carnegiella schereri which only grows to about 1 inch (2.6 centimeters).[1]
Flight
The most obvious trait of the freshwater hatchetfish is their enormously enlarged sternal region. This is accompanied by large
Genera
The genera in this family are:
References
- ^ "Pet Fish Place".
- ISBN 0-87666-157-6.
Further reading
- "Gasteropelecidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). "Gasteropelecidae" in FishBase. October 2011 version.
- Nelson, Joseph S. (2006). ISBN 0-471-25031-7