(Toxotes jaculatus)

Distribution and Habitat

Archer fish are found along the coasts of India, Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia, the Philippines, the East Indies, and Thailand. They typically inhabit brackish coastal water, often associated with mangroves. Archer fish habitat water is often murky and the fish cruise just under the surface.

Physical Characteristics

Archer fish have a flattened, silver body, with black markings. They grow up to 6 inches (15 cm). They have a flattened head with large, moveable eyes and a broad, upward slanting mouth with a long lower jaw. The dorsal fin is set very far to the rear and has spines. The anal fin is large and also spined.

Reproduction

Unknown

Husbandry

Archer fish are popular with aquarists.

Diet

Archer fish eat live insects and other prey. Individuals aim a highly accurate stream of water at prey resting on vegetation overhanging the water. There is a groove in the roof of the mouth. The tongue is thin and loose at the front, and thick, with a mid-line protuberance at the rear. The fish presses its tongue and protuberance against the groove, turning it into a "barrel". The gill covers are pressed together, forcing water through the groove. The free end of the tongue acts like a valve, flicking loose to let the water drops out. These fish can make minute adjustments in their aim.

The fish aims from underwater and compensates for refraction by orienting itself horizontally below its prey.

An adult can shoot an insect from up to 5 feet (1.5 m). Young fish can shoot accurately only a few inches. If the prey is close to the surface, a fish will jump and catch it in its jaws.

Zoo Diet

These fish were first fed guppies. Now, they eat mealworms and crickets they harvest from above the water surface. (As of 3/99 all individuals are shooting and eating crickets from the surface vegetation.)