{"product_id":"pygmy-hatchetfish","title":"Pygmy Hatchetfish","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.4em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.08em;color:#0a2a3a;border-bottom:2px solid #3a7ca5;padding-bottom:8px;margin-bottom:18px;text-transform:uppercase;\"\u003ePygmy Hatchetfish\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePygmy Hatchetfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCarnegiella myersi\u003c\/em\u003e) is a remarkable freshwater fish with one of the most extraordinary body shapes in the aquarium hobby. The enormously enlarged, keel-shaped chest — formed by massive pectoral muscles that account for up to a quarter of the fish's total body weight — powers genuine flight above the water surface to escape predators. The Pygmy Hatchetfish is the smallest hatchetfish in the world — under an inch fully grown. The pale silver to almost translucent body with a dark ventral line is more lightly colored than \u003cem\u003eC. schereri\u003c\/em\u003e, and the belly profile is slightly less deep. At this scale, a group of 10 or more creates a living, shimmering curtain just below the surface. Carnegiella — the smallest hatchetfish species in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#e0f0f8;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding:14px 18px;color:#0a2a3a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSera Vipan Tropical Flakes\u003c\/strong\u003e make an excellent surface staple for hatchetfish — floating flakes suit their surface-feeding behavior perfectly. \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/strong\u003e are also accepted at the surface. Supplement 2–3× per week with \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e fed at the surface before it sinks, and \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Daphnia\u003c\/strong\u003e. Feed small amounts multiple times daily — hatchetfish have small stomachs and do best with frequent small meals rather than one large daily feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#fce4d6;border:1px solid #f4b183;padding:14px 18px;color:#7b2000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠ Tight-Fitting Lid Essential:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hatchetfish are genuine fliers — the enormous pectoral muscles that give them their deep keel-shaped chest power actual leaps out of the water to escape predators. This is not a tendency to jump; it is a physical ability unique among freshwater fish. \u003cstrong\u003eAny gap in the lid will result in fish on the floor.\u003c\/strong\u003e A fully sealed lid with only the minimum opening for equipment is required.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eNative to slow-moving, heavily shaded forest streams, pools, and flooded forest areas of the Amazon and Orinoco basins — blackwater environments with very soft, slightly acidic, tannin-stained water. The aquarium should replicate these conditions: soft, slightly acidic water, tannin additions from Indian almond leaves or driftwood, floating plants to provide the essential surface cover this species needs, and subdued lighting. A mature, stable aquarium is important — freshly imported Carnegiella are sensitive but become hardy once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eKeep in groups of at least eight — hatchetfish are genuinely schooling fish that are stressed and prone to disease in small numbers. They occupy exclusively the top 2–3 inches of the aquarium, leaving all lower zones free for other species. Ideal tankmates include small tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras, and small rasboras that inhabit lower water zones. Avoid any fish that disturbs the surface zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:24px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eHatchetfish are strict surface feeders — they will not descend to take food from the mid-water or substrate. All food must be offered at the surface or just below it. Floating flake food and pellets work well; frozen foods should be fed near the surface before they sink. Any food that sinks past the top few inches of the water column will not be eaten by the hatchetfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#0a2a3a;border-top:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding-top:18px;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eCare \u0026amp; Ideal Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:0.92em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eEasy — Moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePeaceful — strict surface dweller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTypical Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e0.9 inches (2.3 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMin. Group Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e8 minimum (Carnegiella) \/ 6 minimum (Gasteropelecus\/Thoracocharax)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal Temp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e75–82°F (24–28°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e5.5–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e0–6 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e0–4 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSera Vipan Tropical Flakes; Hikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eAmazon and Orinoco basins, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8; vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSmallest hatchetfish species. Named for ichthyologist George S. Myers. Nearly translucent body. Groups of 10+ for best effect. Soft acidic water essential.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48776415543607,"sku":"Carnegiella myersi","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/8748\/1655\/files\/cuboid-nature-aquarium-fish-default-title-pygmy-hatchet-fish-39180673122615.jpg?v=1778253303","url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/pygmy-hatchetfish","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}