Clouded archerfish
Toxotes blythii
Also known as Freshwater clouded archerfish, Blyth's archerfish, Zebra archerfish, Burmese cloud archerfish
FreshwaterFish
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
- With caution
- Swim level
- Top
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Toxotidae
- Origin
- Rivers of Myanmar, pure fresh water
Overview
The clouded archerfish is the archerfish for keepers who do not want a brackish tank. It is a surface fish for a large freshwater tank, best for a keeper past the beginner stage.
Did you know
The clouded archerfish was lost to science for over a century between collections. Now it headlines the archerfish trade.
Caring for the clouded archerfish
Keep clouded archerfish in a group of four or more, in a tank of at least 106 gal (400 L). Give them open surface, a tight lid and floating cover. They need something above the waterline to aim at, since the shooting behavior is the reason to keep them.
This species lives in pure fresh water at every stage. Keep it at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) with a pH of 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, avoidable mistake.
It feeds at the surface almost exclusively, so offer floating foods and insects. Clouded archerfish are mostly peaceful, but choose their tank mates with caution. Breeding them is moderately difficult.
Good to know
The clouded archerfish, Toxotes blythii, belongs to Toxotidae, the archerfishes. It 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. That fires an accurate jet of water at prey above the surface. It is also sold as Blyth's archerfish or the zebra archerfish.
In the wild
The clouded archerfish lives in forested rivers in Myanmar, well inland and far from any tidal influence.
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 does a clouded archerfish need?
A clouded archerfish is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
What does a clouded archerfish eat?
A clouded archerfish feeds at the surface almost exclusively. Offer it floating foods and insects.
How big does a clouded archerfish get?
An adult clouded archerfish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
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