Hatchet Fish

[Chuka1212]

Ok, so I got a new little school of silver hatchet fish and they are awesome!! While I've been staring at them I was wondering what on earth the evolutionary signifcance of their body shape was? Any ideas on how their bizzare shape helps them out in the wild? I was thinking maybe it is to avoid getting eaten/swallowed, not too many fish have a mouth that big. Anyways, what do you all think?

Here's a pic for kicks...

 

[my fat fish]

so other fish think oo look its pregnant so i wont eat them yet ill wait for the young! lol

i have no idea

 

[kewskills]

i wodered this the other day at the lfs, just havent been bothered to look it up yet.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

I read something a long while ago saying that it is evolutionary and gives them better balance when feeding from the surface. Like Gouramis the upturned mouth is for catching insects. If you look at gouramis you can see a rather odd shaped protruding bely. Nowhere near as defined but you see what i mean.

 

[mezrie]

Oh man i love these fish!! Lucky you! Do they have any other tank mates? I'd love some. No idea on shape sorry i'm just an admirer!

 

[geo7x]

im pretty sure its because these fish can actually leave the water and skim across by flapping their pectoral fins. Their deep body with a 'keel' allows them to do this more efficiently.

 

[Rex740]

Ya, i think its shaped has to do with it "flying" out of water.

 

[Ristof]

Ya, i think its shaped has to do with it "flying" out of water.

I would have to agree
I hope you have a lid over your tank

The shape of the hatchet is mainly to jump out of the water at high speed and escape from predators in the wild, and they will do the same in the fish tank to escape from bullies or danger

 

[Chuka1212]

Oh man i love these fish!! Lucky you! Do they have any other tank mates? I'd love some. No idea on shape sorry i'm just an admirer!

Hey thanks, I thought they were pretty awesome too, yeah they do have tank mates. I am keeping them in a 29 gallon (covered of course Ristof) with 2 angelfish, a Bolivian ram, rubber-lipped pleco, and some corys. They are great, peaceful, and seem to be quick adjusters.

Thanks for all the comments by the way, it does make sense that they would use their shape to "fly" much like flying fish in the ocean. Great insight with improved balance for surface feeding... it all makes since. My curiosity is satisfied.

 

[zarebskifish]

mmmmmmmm