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Mekong archerfish

Toxotes mekongensis

Also known as Isaan archerfish, Isann freshwater archerfish

FreshwaterFish

Mekong archerfish (Toxotes mekongensis)
(c) Andrew Parker, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

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
Rare
Family
Toxotidae
Origin
Mekong basin, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia

Overview

The Mekong archerfish is a freshwater archerfish that hunts at the surface of a big tank. It is a good choice once you have kept a few easier fish.

Did you know

Archerfish hunt by spitting a jet of water to knock insects off overhanging leaves. They aim so well that they correct for the way light bends at the surface. The Mekong archerfish did the trick for generations before science formally named it in 2018.

Caring for the Mekong archerfish

Keep Mekong archerfish as a small group of active swimmers in a large, calm tank of at least 106 gal (400 L). Give them open space at the top and a tight lid, since they hunt by watching the air above the water. Add some overhanging or emergent plants and branches to mimic the bankside.

Unlike most archerfish, this one lives entirely in fresh water. Keep the water steady and clean at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C), with a near-neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

Feed floating and surface foods along with insects such as crickets. Let some food sit on top so they can shoot and snatch it.

Mekong archerfish are mostly peaceful with fish they cannot eat, but treat tank mates with caution. Choose robust, similarly sized companions and avoid anything small enough to be taken as prey.

Breeding is moderately difficult and rarely done in aquariums. Like other archerfish, they scatter large numbers of buoyant eggs that drift with the current.

Good to know

The Mekong archerfish, Toxotes mekongensis, is a member of Toxotidae, the archerfishes. Kottelat and Tan described it, splitting it from the smallscale archerfish as the Mekong basin's own freshwater species. It is also sold as the Isaan archerfish.

In the wild

The Mekong archerfish comes from the Mekong basin in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It hunts insects along overhanging banks and flooded margins.

Common questions

What size tank does a Mekong archerfish need?

A Mekong archerfish needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH does a Mekong archerfish need?

A Mekong archerfish is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a Mekong archerfish eat?

A Mekong archerfish eats floating and surface foods along with insects such as crickets. Leave some food sitting on top so it can shoot and snatch it.

How big does a Mekong archerfish get?

An adult Mekong archerfish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a Mekong archerfish breed?

Like other archerfish, the Mekong archerfish scatters large numbers of buoyant eggs that drift with the current. Breeding is moderately difficult and rarely done in aquariums.

Related species