How to Identify Indian Hatchetfish

To identify Indian Hatchetfish (Chela laubuca), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Silvery-white to yellowish body with an iridescent sheen, often displaying a prominent dark lateral stripe or blotch that can vary in intensity. Fins are typically hyaline (clear) but can have yellowish or reddish tints, especially during breeding. Some populations exhibit a bluish or greenish iridescence.

Scale type

cycloid

Mouth position

superior

Distinctive features

Deeply compressed body, almost hatchet-shaped., Large, upward-pointing mouth., Long, pointed pectoral fins., Often a dark lateral stripe or blotch along the flank.

Dorsal fin

Short, with 2 unbranched and 7-8 branched rays, originating posterior to the anal fin origin.

Tail fin

Deeply forked, with pointed lobes.

Pectoral fin

Long and pointed, extending beyond the pelvic fin origin, with 1 unbranched and 10-12 branched rays.

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are small, with 1 unbranched and 5 branched rays. Anal fin is long, with 3 unbranched and 15-18 branched rays.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Shape

   Look for the distinctively deep, laterally compressed body, giving it a 'hatchet-like' appearance.

2. 2

   Mouth Position

   Observe the upward-pointing mouth, indicative of its surface-feeding habits.

3. 3

   Pectoral Fins

   Note the long, pointed pectoral fins, which are characteristic of the genus Chela.

4. 4

   Coloration

   Identify the silvery-white to yellowish body with iridescent reflections and the often present dark lateral stripe or blotch.

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