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Freshwater   Fishes

Archerfish
(Toxotes jaculatrix)

Archerfish

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

  • None (for the moment!)

Names

Scientific name
Toxotes jaculatrix

Common name
Archerfish
Banded Archerfish
Ikan sumpit
Siamese archer fish
Spinner fish

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: South East Asia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, North Australia
Biotope: Asian

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

None

Group

Group

Toxotidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

500 L / 110 imp gal / 132 US gal in paludarium

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 23 à 30°C or 73 to 86°F
pH: 7 to 8.5
Hardness: 18 to 30°dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Hard

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

12 to 25cm (5 to 10")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

Uncertain (3 to 10 years)

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and Depth

Individuals

sociability of the species

5 and more

Food

How to feed the Archerfish?

Food

How to feed the Archerfish?

This fish is not really easy to feed. In fact, the Siamese Archer Fish is an insectivorous fish. As a result, it will have a clear preference for flies, mosquitoes and midges.

Mussels and shrimp will also be welcome. And why not a little cockroach, cricket or cockroach from time to time! It can also eat frozen food such as bloodworms or brine shrimp.

Note that straws are not necessarily well accepted.

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Archerfish have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Archerfish have?

It is rather shy, and sometimes even timid: it hides in roots and plants at the slightest sign of worry.

The Toxotes Jaculatrix is a very good jumper: it makes good tens of centimeters. Be careful that your aquarium is constantly covered or that the water level in your aquarium is not too high.

In nature, it has a special way of hunting. Its prey of choice is an insect on the surface.

It will violently throw a jet of water with its mouth towards its prey. It will sink under the surface, knocked out by this powerful jet. The fish will then melt on its prey by moving at a blazing speed. These fish are able to spit more than a meter away (the largest specimens can reach up to 1.5 meters). As you will have certainly understood, it is this faculty that earned him the nickname of Archer Fish.

Unfortunately, farmed fish sold commercially are unable to replicate this exceptional ability. You can still encourage them by offering their food at height. This will boost their hunter instinct.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Archerfish?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Archerfish?

Very gregarious, the Toxotes must absolutely live in groups of 5 or more. If not, it will become very shy and stressed, and may even stop eating altogether.

Very peaceful, this species can live easily with Silver Moonfish, African Moonfish, or with Tetraodons that will be most suitable.

Breeding

How to breed the Archerfish?

Breeding

How to breed the Archerfish?

Breedings have already been successfully done by professionals. However, none have been reported in individuals to date. It appears that they can lay up to 2000 eggs hatching in about 12 hours.

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Archerfish?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Archerfish?

This fish will be more comfortable in a shallow but large aquarium. For this, you can build a 500 liters / 110 imp Gallons / 132 US Gallons aquarium, at least, but do not completely fill it: turn it into a paludarium.

To get a hard water that pleases your fish, add a tablespoon of salt (untreated and unfluorinated) to 10 liters or 2.5 gallons of water (density between 1006 and 1017). However, note that the Toxotes is able to live in a soft water, salty water or brackish water.

On the decor side, install roots or branches on which you will put food to encourage them to hunt.

For plants, choose species suitable for paludariums, such as some mangroves or water lettuce.

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

The Siamese Archer Fiss measures 12 to 15 cm or 4.7 to 5.9 inches in captivity while in its natural environment, it can reach 20/25 cm or 7.9 to 9.8 inches!

It is a perfect archer: its mouth is upward, ready to throw the jet of water, and its eyes are placed near its mouth. It has excellent binocular vision: it corrects the refraction of water. Thus, it targets its prey with a lot of precision.

Yours photos!

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