Common Name: Banded Archerfish
Scientific Name: Toxotes jaculatrix
Other Names: Common Archerfish, Seven-Spot Archerfish
The Banded Archerfish is a fascinating species best known for its unique ability to shoot jets of water at insects above the water's surface to knock them down for food. With its distinctive black-and-white banded pattern and laterally compressed body, this fish is a striking addition to a well-maintained brackish or freshwater aquarium.
Habitat and Distribution: Toxotes jaculatrix is native to the coastal and inland waterways of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, and northern Australia. It inhabits estuaries, mangrove swamps, and slow-moving rivers, where it thrives in brackish water but is also found in pure freshwater environments. In the wild, it often hovers near the water’s surface, scanning for insects and small prey.
Size and Lifespan: Banded Archerfish can reach 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) in the wild but typically grow to 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in captivity. With proper care, they can live 8-12 years in a well-maintained aquarium.
Diet and Behavior: These fish are carnivorous and have a natural preference for live insects and small crustaceans. In an aquarium, they should be fed a diet that includes:
- Live or frozen foods such as crickets, mealworms, bloodworms, and brine shrimp
- High-quality carnivorous pellets and flakes
- Occasional small fish or insect larvae to stimulate natural hunting behavior
They are peaceful, schooling fish that do best in groups of at least 4-6 individuals. If kept alone, they may become stressed and exhibit shy or erratic behavior. Archerfish are mid-to-top dwellers, often congregating near the water's surface to scan for prey.
Breeding and Reproduction: Breeding Toxotes jaculatrix in captivity is extremely difficult due to their brackish water requirements and complex spawning behaviors. In the wild, they migrate between estuaries and coastal waters, where they spawn in brackish or marine environments. Successful breeding has been recorded in large, specialized aquaculture facilities but is rare in home aquariums.
Aquarium Care and Tank Requirements: Due to their size, schooling nature, and need for surface hunting space, Banded Archerfish require a minimum of 75-100 gallons for a group. Their tank should include:
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Water Type: Brackish water is preferred (specific gravity 1.005-1.015), though they can adapt to freshwater
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Substrate: Sand or fine gravel
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Decor: Floating plants, driftwood, and open swimming areas
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Filtration: High-quality filtration and regular water changes to maintain excellent water quality
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Lighting: Moderate to bright lighting enhances their natural hunting behavior
For a realistic environment, aquarists can provide branches or ledges above the water’s surface, encouraging natural shooting behavior by placing small prey on these surfaces.
Ideal Tank Mates: Banded Archerfish are peaceful but should be kept with other brackish-compatible species. Suitable tank mates include:
- Monos (Monodactylus spp.)
- Scats (Scatophagus spp.)
- Brackish water puffers (such as Green Spotted Puffers)
- Larger gobies (such as Sleeper Gobies)
- Silver or Colombian Tetras (if kept in freshwater)
Avoid small fish that could be mistaken for food, as well as overly aggressive species that may bully the Archerfish.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced. While they are hardy, they require specific brackish water conditions, a spacious tank, and a diet that accommodates their natural hunting behavior.
Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 76-84°F (24-29°C)
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pH: 7.0-8.0
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General Hardness (GH): 8-20 dGH
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Carbonate Hardness (KH): 6-15 dKH
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Salinity: 1.005-1.015 SG (brackish), though they can tolerate freshwater
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Ammonia: 0 ppm
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Nitrite: 0 ppm
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Nitrate: <20 ppm (regular water changes required)
Additional Information: The Banded Archerfish is famous for its precision shooting ability, using specialized mouth muscles to squirt jets of water at insects above the surface. This behavior is best encouraged by providing floating structures or feeding platforms. Fun fact: Juvenile Banded Archerfish can take months to develop their accurate shooting skills, often practicing on floating debris before becoming proficient hunters.
