Archerfish - Toxotes Jaculator

The Archerfish is famed for its amazing ability to shoot down resting insects above the water surface. However jumping out of the water to catch it's prey is much more preferred than 'shooting', as the one that caught the insect doesn't always get to it first. When the insect is near in enough, the fish will leap out of the water to catch it in it's mouth. If this fails, then it will resort to shooting. Generally the fish swim in 'shooting parties'. When prey is sighted they will shoot relentlessly. Each one will shoot at the same insect, when it falls the entire 'party' rushes towards it, wanting to be the first to grab it.

Scientific Name: Toxotes Jaculator

Common Name: Archerfish, Banded Archerfish

Care Level: easy to medium

Size: between 10 and 12 inches (25 - 31 cm)

pH: 7.0 - 8.0

Temperature: 68 - 82 %F (20 - 28 %C)

Origin / Habitat: Asia, Oceania, India and eastward to Phillipines - found in brackish water conditions in estuaries and but also travels into rivers. Situates near overhanging vegetation for food sources.

Lifespan: Possibly longer lived in aquariums - 5 to 10 years or longer

Temperament / Behavior: Can become territorial with their own species, but are usually peaceful with most other tankmates.

Compatible Tank Mates: Other brackish fish species such as Monos, Scats, some Gobies, etc.

Breeding / Mating / Reproduction: See breeding section in the article above.

Diet: Omnivorous, will accept a wide range of foods, but frozen/live are foods preferred. Crickets and worms are good treats too.

Tank Size: A minimum of 100 gallons (~379 liters)

Gender: See article above.