Source: Wikimedia Commons
Archer Fish
IntermediateA fish with amazing hunting behavior, shooting water jets to knock down insects above water.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
22〜28℃
Lifespan
5-10 years
Size
15-25cm
Diet
Insects, Artificial feed, Frozen food
About
Archerfish (family Toxotidae) are tropical fish found across a vast range from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to northern Australia, inhabiting mangroves, brackish estuaries, and freshwater rivers. Of the ten known species, Toxotes jaculatrix is the most commonly encountered. Adults reach 20–30 cm. Archerfish are renowned for one of the most remarkable hunting strategies in the animal kingdom: they shoot precisely aimed jets of water from their specialized mouths to knock insects, spiders, and small lizards from branches and vegetation up to 1–3 meters above the surface, correcting for the refractive distortion of the water's surface with exceptional visual processing. In aquariums, they demonstrate this intelligence by squirting water at their keeper to demand food. Adaptable to a wide salinity range — from near-freshwater to brackish — a small addition of marine salt mix often improves their condition. Optimal conditions are 24–30°C at pH 7.0–8.0. They require a large tank (90 cm+) with a secure lid, and are best kept as a single specimen or in small groups.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Basic Info
Origin
mangroves and brackish estuaries from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to northern Australia
Lifespan
5-10 years
Size
15-25cm
Temperature
22〜28℃
Diet
Insects, Artificial feed, Frozen food
Care Guide
Care Specifications
- Water Temp.
- 25–30℃
- Min. Tank
- 500 L
Semi-aggressiveGroupBreeding: Very hard
Sources: FishBase / Seriously Fish
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: br-choku editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Sources: FishBase / Seriously Fish / CITES Appendices (Checklist)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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