There are two species of Black winged dwarf hatchets recognized. These charming little creatures hardly reach 3 cm in length. From Peru and Colombia we get occasionally Carnegiella schereri. The fish, however, are usually sent under the name of „Gasteropelecus sternicla, size small“. In fact both species have a very similar coloration, but C. schereri lacks, like all species of Carnegiella, the adipose fin, which is always present in species of Gasteropelecus.

 

From Brazil we get Carnegiella marthae. Both species of dwarf hatchet are so closely related that in former times they were considered only as subspecies to each other. In that case they were named Carnegiella marthae marthae and Carnegiella marthae schereri. Both species can easily distinguished by the coloration. C. schereri has always a spotted belly, in C. marthae the belly is striped.

 

For our customers: Carnegiella schereri has code 214152, C. marthae 214002 on our stock list. Please note that we are supplying the wholesale trade only.

 

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer