Gasteropelecidae

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Superclassis/Classis: Actinopterygii
Classis/Subclassis: Actinopteri
Subclassis/Infraclassis: Neopterygii
Infraclassis: Teleostei
Megacohors: Osteoglossocephalai
Supercohors: Clupeocephala
Cohors: Otomorpha
Subcohors: Ostariophysi
Sectio: Otophysa
Ordo: Characiformes

Familia: Gasteropelecidae
Genera: Carnegiella - Gasteropelecus - Thoracocharax
References

Abe, K. T., Mariguela, T. C., Avelino, G. S., Castro, R. M. C. & Oliveira, C.; (in press): Multilocus molecular phylogeny of Gasteropelecidae (Ostariophysi: Characiformes) reveals the existence of an unsuspected diversity. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Available online 18 July 2013, DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2013.07.005

Links

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2006. FishBase, version (02/2006). [1]

Vernacular names
Deutsch: Beilbauchsalmler
English: Freshwater hatchetfish
lietuvių: Pstrążeniowate
中文: 胸斧脂鯉科

The freshwater hatchetfish are a family, Gasteropelecidae, of ray-finned fish from South and Central America. The common hatchetfish is the most popular member among fish keeping hobbyists. The family includes three genera: Carnegiella (four species), Gasteropelecus (three species), and Thoracocharax (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 typically range in size from 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 to 6.4 cm). One exception is the giant hatchetfish (Thoracocharax securis), which can grow up to 3.5 inches (8.9 cm). The smallest species are the pygmy hatchetfish (Carnegiella myersi), which only grows to about 0.9 inches (2.3 cm), and the dwarf hatchetfish (Carnegiella schereri), which grows to about 1 inch (2.5 cm).[1]
Flight

The most obvious trait of the freshwater hatchetfish is their enormously enlarged sternal region. This is accompanied by large pectoral fins and "extraordinarily powerful" associated muscles which account for up to one-quarter of their total body weight. "Quick beats of the pectoral fins" allow hatchetfish to "lift themselves half out of the water and glide along the surface ... Some species can even leave the water for short stretches."[2] Because of this ability to fly and tendency to jump, aquaria used to keep hatchetfish should have a tightly sealed cover to prevent these fish from escaping.
Genera

The genera in this family are:

Carnegiella
Gasteropelecus
Thoracocharax

References

"Pet Fish Place".

Frey, Hans (1961). Illustrated Dictionary of Tropical Fishes. New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications Inc. pp. 354–5. ISBN 0-87666-157-6.