Native to South America, the Marbled Hatchetfish can be found in Guyana, Columbia, Suriname, Brazil and Peru. These fish tend to inhabit forest streams and tributaries where there is an abundance of vegetation. Marbled Hatchetfish exhibit the typical hatchet shape and are named for the brown and cream marble-like pattern on their bodies. These fish also have a gold line extending horizontally along the body from the eye to the base of the caudal fin. The coloration and patterning of these fishes may vary slightly according to the locality.