Care
The Pygmy Hatchetfish is a surface-hugging species from tropical blackwater environments, where there is an abundance of thick overhanging vegetation, fallen branches, roots, and leaf litter.
The home aquarium should be biologically mature and well filtered, but water movement should be kept as gentle as possible. Soft, acidic water is essential, and this can be helped along with the addition of peat to the aquarium filter. Dark decor and plenty of bogwood, caves, and planting - including floating species - will all help these fish to feel secure. It is imperative that the tank has tight fitting coverslides as these fish are highly skilled jumpers; and do ensure there are no escape holes where equipment feeds into the tank (block any gaps with filter sponge). Pygmy Hatchetfish are a timid shoaling species, which congregate in large numbers in nature; for this reason, they must be kept in groups of 6 or more (10+ is better) in order to feel secure and display natural behaviour. Tankmates must be small and peaceful, as Hatchetfish are easily intimidated. Good companions could include small peaceable tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras catfish, dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma or Mikrogeophagus, and some of the smaller Loricariidae (suckermouth catfish). Much attention must be paid to water quality since Hatchets can be sensitive to elevated nitrates and swings in water chemistry.
This fish's translucent body gives rise to the alternative common name of Glass Hatchetfish.
Feeding
Flake, micropellets, small frozen foods e.g. bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, black mosquito larvae, daphnia, and baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii), plus fruitflies (Drosophila sp.).
Breeding
The Pygmy Hatchetfish has not been bred in the home aquarium. This species would make an excellent breeding project for the serious hobbyist. They are likely to reproduce in a very similar fashion to that of the Marbled Hatchetfish, which has been bred in the home aquarium (although this is not easily accomplished). Soft, acidic water is essential. The fish should be well-conditioned on a diet of small fruitflies and black mosquito larvae, and following a lengthy courtship ritual, eggs should be laid on floating plants or plants growing near the water's surface. The parents will predate on the eggs/fry, so they should be acclimatised back to the main aquarium once spawning has ceased. Once the eggs have hatched, and the fry have become free-swimming a few days later, they can be offered infusoria and paramecium, moving on to baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) as they grow.
