Banded archerfish
Toxotes jaculatrix
BrackishFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 77–86°F
- 25–30°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal
- 450 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Top
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Toxotidae
- Origin
- South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia
Overview
The banded archerfish is a large, social surface fish for a big brackish tank. It is for experienced keepers.
Did you know
The banded archerfish hunts by spitting a jet of water at insects resting on leaves above the surface, knocking them down to eat. Big fish can hit targets two to three meters away. It learns to correct for the way light bends at the water surface, so its aim stays true.
Caring for the banded archerfish
The banded archerfish grows large, so plan a deep tank of at least 119 gal (450 L) with a tight lid to stop jumps. Leave open surface space, with some roots or branches near the top. If you can, add overhanging structure it can spit at.
It needs strongly brackish water, so add marine salt to a specific gravity around 1.005 to 1.010. Do not keep it in plain freshwater. Use hard, alkaline water at 77 to 86°F (25 to 30°C) with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0, and run steady, clean filtration.
It hunts at the top of the tank. Feed floating foods, live and frozen insects such as crickets and mealworms, plus meaty foods like prawn.
Keep banded archerfish in a small group, since lone fish can be jumpy. They are mostly peaceful toward tank mates too big to eat but will take smaller fish. Pair them with similarly sized, salt-tolerant companions.
Breeding is essentially undocumented in aquariums. The species is thought to move toward the sea to spawn.
Good to know
The banded archerfish belongs to the family Toxotidae, the archerfishes. Its silver body is marked by several bold dark bars, and its upturned mouth is set for surface feeding. The large eyes sit high for spotting prey above the water. A specialized groove in the roof of the mouth, its most famous trait, lets it fire a jet of water.
In the wild
Banded archerfish live in coastal mangrove swamps, estuaries and tidal river mouths from South and Southeast Asia to northern Australia. They hang just below the surface among overhanging branches and roots.
Common questions
What size tank does a banded archerfish need?
A banded archerfish needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH does a banded archerfish need?
A banded archerfish is comfortable at 77–86°F (25–30°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a banded archerfish eat?
A banded archerfish eats floating foods and live and frozen insects such as crickets and mealworms. Add meaty foods like prawn.
How big does a banded archerfish get?
An adult banded archerfish reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
How does a banded archerfish breed?
Banded archerfish breeding is essentially undocumented in aquariums. The species is thought to move toward the sea to spawn.
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