Strigata Hatchetfish

Carnegiella schereri — sometimes referred to as Carnegiella strigata schereri or simply the Strigata Hatchetfish — is a slender, elegant surface dweller from soft Peruvian Amazonian waters. Its body is paler and less boldly marked than the standard Marbled Hatchetfish, displaying a finer dark mid-lateral stripe and a more translucent overall appearance in good lighting.

This species shares the fundamental care requirements of all Carnegiella: soft acidic water, tight-fitting lid, floating plant cover, and surface feeding. It is relatively delicate and best suited to aquarists with some experience maintaining the genus. Stable water parameters and regular small feedings produce the best results.

As a group fish, it should be maintained in schools of six or more. It coexists peacefully with other nano and small community fish that occupy different water levels — bottom-dwelling corydoras, mid-water nano tetras, and peaceful dwarf cichlids all make excellent companions.

Water: 23–28°C, pH 5.0–7.0, soft (GH 1–8, KH 0–4); tannin-stained water beneficial. Tank: 60 L minimum; tight lid essential; floating plants; stable soft acidic water. Feeding: Floating micro-pellets, baby brine shrimp, micro-worms, wingless fruit flies at surface. Breeding: Rarely bred; egg-scatterer; very soft acidic water required. Compatibility: Peaceful; ideal with nano tetras, corydoras, and bottom-level dwarf cichlids.