Clouded archerfish
Toxotes blythii
Also known as Freshwater clouded archerfish, Blyth's archerfish, Zebra archerfish, Burmese cloud archerfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F (24–29°C)
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 106 gal (400 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Top
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Rivers of Myanmar, pure fresh water
- Family
- Toxotidae
Overview
The archerfish for keepers who do not want a brackish tank: this species lives in pure fresh water at every stage. Keep a group of four or more in a 400 liter tank with open surface, a tight lid and floating cover. The shooting behavior is the reason to keep it, and it needs something above the waterline to aim at. Feed floating foods and insects; it feeds at the surface almost exclusively.
In the wild
Toxotes blythii lives in forested rivers in Myanmar, well inland and far from any tidal influence. Keep it at 24 to 29 degrees Celsius and pH 6.5 to 7.5. Most archerfish in the trade need brackish water as adults, and applying that advice to this species is a common and avoidable mistake.
Good to know
Toxotes blythii reaches about 20 centimeters and wears smoky bars and blotches rather than the crisp spots of the common archerfish. It shoots by pressing its tongue against a groove in the roof of the mouth and snapping the gill covers shut, firing a jet of water accurately at prey above the surface.
Did you know
It was lost to science for over a century between collections; now it headlines the archerfish trade.
Common questions
What size tank does a Clouded archerfish need?
A Clouded archerfish needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH do Clouded archerfish need?
Clouded archerfish are comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
How big do Clouded archerfish get?
An adult Clouded archerfish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Clouded archerfish?
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Related species
Mekong archerfish
Toxotes mekongensisFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Seven-spot archerfish
Toxotes chatareusFreshwaterBrackish15.7 in (40 cm)106 gal (400 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)
Red wolf fish
Erythrinus erythrinusFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Ericotaenia hap
Mylochromis ericotaeniaFreshwater8.1 in (20.5 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Yellowhump eartheater
Geophagus pellegriniFreshwater7.1 in (18 cm)106 gal (400 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Darter characin
Apareiodon affinisFreshwater7.1 in (18 cm)53 gal (200 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)