Toxotes jaculatrix

Banded Archerfish

Classification

Toxotidae

Distribution

This species has a very wide natural range. It’s been recorded from India, Myanmar, Thailand, China, the Ryukyu Islands, Malaysia, the Philippines, Micronesia, Palau, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and northern Australia.

Habitat

Inhabits various biotopes, including freshwater rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. It’s primary habitats though are brackish mangrove swamps and estuaries. It tends to be found in shady areas where there is dense growth of marginal and/or overhanging vegetation.

Maximum Standard Length

12″ (30cm)

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

48″ x 24″ x 24″ (120cm x 60cm x 60cm) – 500 litres for an adult fish.

Maintenance

Two types of setup may be considered for archerfish. The first would be a normal brackish aquarium setup containing mangrove roots and brackish tolerant plants. Waterflow should be slow. Another means of keeping archerfish is in a biotope setup, using a tall tank half-filled with water and an area of dry land and plants in the upper area of the tank. This has the benefit of encouraging natural feeding behaviour (see below). Water conditions in the biotope should be the same as mentioned above. Lighting should be suited to the types of plants used.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 77 – 86°F (25 – 30°C)

pH: 7.0 – 8.0 (prefers the upper end of this range)

Hardness: 20 – 30°H

Diet

Wild fish mostly feed on both terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates of various types, although small fish are also taken occasionally. The archer fish is famous for its feeding behaviour. It has the ability to shoot jets of water from its mouth at insects on overhanging vegetation. The insect then falls in the water and is eaten! If using the paludarium setup described above, it is possible to replicate this behaviour by introducing crickets or fruitflies into the planted area in the upper part of the tank. As they venture out along the plant leaves, they will eventually be picked off by the archer fish. The fish also accepts floating foods such as flake and pellets and will also relish frozen food such as bloodworm and brineshrimp.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

Generally peaceful although may eat much smaller fish. Can also be aggressive to conspecifics but this can be mitigated by keeping them in groups of 4 or 5 specimens. Can be kept with other larger sized brackish fish such as scats, monos and green chromides.

Sexual Dimorphism

Not known

Reproduction

No reports of breeding in the hobby. It is believed that this fish migrates to full seawater to breed. These conditions are difficult to replicate in aquaria.

NotesTop ↑

The Banded Archer fish is one of a fascinating group of fish that have evolved this very distinctive feeding pattern. The family contains six species, of which toxotes jaculatrix is the most commonly available (sometimes sold incorrectly as t. jaculator). Occasionally, the similarly marked toxotes chatareus is offered for sale in the UK although much less frequently.

There are reports that juvenile archers can be kept in fresh water but it is recommended that a brackish setup is always used.

Eaten as a food fish in many of its native countries.