Seven-spot archerfish

Toxotes chatareus

Also known as Largescale archerfish, Spotted archerfish, Common archerfish

FreshwaterBrackishFish

Seven-spot archerfish (Toxotes chatareus) — Photo by David J. Stang · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 77–86°F (25–30°C)
pH: 7.0–8.0
Adult size: 15.7 in (40 cm)
Minimum tank: 106 gal (400 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Top
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Common
Origin: Widespread from India through Southeast Asia to northern Australia and New Guinea, in mangrove estuaries, tidal creeks and lower freshwater rivers.
Family: Toxotidae

Overview

This fish reaches about 40 cm, so plan for a tall tank of 400 litres or more with brackish water, a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 and 25 to 30 C. Keep it in a small group, since lone fish can be nervous, and pair it only with robust tankmates too large to be eaten. Leave open surface space and floating cover so it can hunt and feel secure. Feed floating insects, crickets, frozen shrimp and prawn, and pellets, and expect it to snap up any small fish it can swallow.

In the wild

Seven-spot archerfish patrol the surface of mangrove estuaries, tidal creeks and river mouths, watching for insects on overhanging plants. They are surface oriented fish that appreciate a tall tank with floating plants and some overhanging structure. Most keepers run them in brackish water with a specific gravity around 1.005 to 1.010, which suits adults best. A large tank of at least 400 litres with a tight lid and open surface is needed as they grow.

Good to know

Toxotes chatareus is famous for shooting jets of water from its mouth to knock insects off leaves and branches above the waterline, then eating them as they fall. The common name refers to the dark blotches along the back, which typically number from four to seven. Young fish can also leap clear of the water to grab prey directly.

Did you know

An archerfish learns to aim its water jet accurately, correcting for the way light bends at the surface, and can hit insects perched well above the tank.