The fish I’m going to talk about today might be known to you. Perhaps you’ve seen those in TV shows shooting down insects with water. Those fish are called the Archerfish. You can have it in your own aquarium.
However, this fish has specific needs, and not everyone can handle the challenge of meeting those needs. Also, selecting appropriate tank mates for Archerfish isn’t simple.
Today, I’ll share information about this fish with you so you can decide if it’s suitable for you. Are you ready for some fascinating facts? Let’s get started!
| Common name(s) | Banded Archerfish, Small Scale Fish, Spinner Fish, Shooting Fish |
| Binomial name | Toxotes Jaculatrix |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Territorial |
| Size range – lenght | 2-3 inches |
| Water parameters | Temp 71-85°F (25–31°C) pH 7.0–8.5 Hardness 15-25 dGH |
| Tank level | Top |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 5-10 years |
| Breeding | Egg layer |
| Tank mates | It’s best to keep them in a species-specific aquarium. |
Origin
Archerfish live in the coasts of Southeast Asia, New Guinea and northern Australia.
These fish are scientifically known as Toxotes Jaculator. They are commonly known as Small Scale fish and Spinner fish.
In the wild, these fish live in the dark areas covered with lots of plants above the water.
In this environment, they have the opportunity to shoot down their prey through their skills.
Archerfish do not limit their habitat to one place. They also tend to spend time near the open sea. Some of these fish thrive in freshwater, while others have poor tolerance to it.
Size
In the wild, they grow to sizes of up to 12 inches. Fish bred in captivity are usually smaller, about 10 inches. With proper conditions and a big enough tank, achieving larger sizes is certainly possible.
In captivity, they usually live for 5 to 10 years. If you take care of the appropriate parameters in the tank and good nutrition, they can thrive and remain in your aquarium for a long time.
Availability
You will definitely find Archerfish in specialized fish stores. I assure you that you will not find them in typical chain pet stores.
If you have problems with purchasing in your area, I recommend purchasing from an online vendor that you have a guarantee of the highest quality.
Appearance and Sex Differences
Even though they do not have mesmerizing colors Archerfish are still beautiful and unique.
Archerfish have a laterally strongly flattened body with a lanceolate shape.
Their dorsal and anal fins moved backward. Together with the triangular tail fin, they create an impressive movement tool.
The sides of their bodies are silvery with a light brown tint. On their upper half there are 5-7 irregular, dark, almost black spots. The first spot runs along the eye, and the last one is close to the well-rounded tail.
Their bellies are silvery and light. Fish that are sick or stressed turn darker in color.
The eyes of these fish attract great attention as they are adapted to track potential prey moving above the water surface. Binocular vision allows them to gauge distances between them and their prey.
Their wide, pointed mouths open upward so it makes easier for the fish to obtain food from the water surface.
When hunting, they twist their mouths in a way that their tongue go above the surface and shoots at insects.
There’s no visible difference between males and females.
Behavior
Archerfish are social fish and feel good in the company of other representatives of their species.
However, you should make sure that all fish are similar in size. Smaller ones may be bullied.
In the group of archerfish you can observe hierarchy.
Archerfish are relatively aggressive, so it is not recommended to keep them with fish of other species. Below you will see the tank mates suggestions, but you should keep in mind their aggressive behavior.
Some fishkeepers successfully keep archerfish with other fish.
Archerfish typically swim near the water’s surface. Archerfish are active during the day and rest at night.
The most spectacular thing is, of course, the hunting technique. They shoot water at insects with incredible accuracy. They use their mouths to shoot a stream of water to snatch the insect.
Studies have shown that these fish can display helpful prosocial behavior, which benefits with the best strategy for long-term individual survival((https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10409803/)).
Research also suggests that their visual system is highly complex, allowing them to recognize and categorize objects. I think that this is a crucial skill for effective insect hunting((https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/225/3/jeb243237/274265/Recognition-of-natural-objects-in-the-archerfish)).
Care
Taking care of fish is quite easy. They can tolerate both fresh and saltwater.
However, please remember that the absence of salt in the water can be a challenge for most fish.
For every 10 gallons of water in the tank, we should add 7-8 flat teaspoons of salt. They feel very good in a paludarium or aquaterrarium.
Archerfish thrive well in a paludarium or aquaterrarium. The aquarium should be well planted, preferably with medium and large species. Especially suitable are those species that tend to grow above the water.
Decorative elements should include branches, roots and pieces of wood.
The aquarium should be open. It should not be covered.
Archerfish are best not mixed with other species.
Regular cleaning fishtank is essential. Clean the tank walls, especially the top section where the fish inhabit.
Trim plants to control their growth and pay attention to tank corners for dust and debris.
Tank Requirements
Archer fish like to stay near the water’s surface to hunt effectively.
When setting up an aquarium for them, it’s crucial to choose the right type.
For a group of Archer fish, a taller tank with plenty of space above the water is ideal, as they like to jump at their prey.
Consider a paludarium aquarium, which provides an enclosed space for hunting and allows plants to grow above the water.
Archer fish are large but don’t move around much. For a single fish, a minimum 55-gallon tank is needed, and for a group of 5-6, a 115-gallon tank is recommended.
Maintaining specific water parameters such as temperature (71-85°F), pH levels (7.0-8.5), water hardness (12-25 dGH), and brackish water salinity (0.5-30 g/l) is crucial for their well-being.
Aeration is essential, especially for saltwater aquariums. Use a strong filtration system, such as canister filter, to keep the aquarium environment healthy.
Keep the lights dim during the night but ensure moderate exposure to sunlight for plant growth.
Choose plants that can thrive in brackish water, such as Anubias, Java Fern, Sagittaria, and Sea Grass.
Since Archer fish stay near the water’s surface, focus on plants with overhanging leaves.
A mix of gravel and sand works well. Archer fish don’t venture to lower levels, so substrate is not a major concern. Rounded rocks can be added for aesthetics.
Diseases
These fish can get sick with common diseases, but it’s easy to keep them healthy if you give them the right environment. Two common diseases they might get are Ich and Fin Rot.
Ich is caused by tiny parasites and shows symptoms like salt-like grains on their gills and body, constant scraping against objects, and abnormal hiding behavior.
Fin Rot is usually caused by bacteria and shows symptoms like a white outline around fin edges, ragged fins, and the entire fin rotting.
Tank Mates
Selecting the right friends for your fish can be tricky because water conditions are complicated.
You need to find mates that are the right size, have a similar nature, and can thrive in the same water conditions. Even though your fish are peaceful with other types of fish, they can be aggressive with their own kind.
These fish are skilled at catching insects and may also eat smaller fish. Good companions for your fish include Knight Gobies, Puffers, Scats, Monos, Mollies, Mudskippers, Four eye fish, Swordtails, and Clown Loaches.
Earlier, I mentioned that I don’t recommend combining arecherfish with other fish.
I think it’s best to keep them in a species-specific aquarium.
However, you can try combining them with the other species mentioned above.
Diet
In nature, the main food of shooters are insects flying over the water, at which they “shoot” by spitting streams of water at them.
In aquarium conditions, they accept various types of animal-based food that float on the water’s surface.
Please remember that archerfish stay near the top and food that sinks to the bottom will not be eaten by them.
The best food options include insects like flies, beetles, crickets, spiders, and crustaceans.
In a paludarium, the ideal solution is to introduce flying insects.
Releasing flying insects into the environment is an ideal solution, as the fish will start hunting them, providing observers with unforgettable experiences.
The water stream is strong enough to direct insects straight into the water.
If the first attempt fails, archerfish will shoot another stream.
Accustomed shooters also accept dry food in the form of floating flakes or sticks.
Breeding
They don’t breed in captivity.
In conclusion
If you want to have a cool and beautiful fish in your aquarium, the Archer Fish is a great choice.
These larger fish have cool personalities and add some excitement to the aquarium. They may not be the best fish for beginners in aquarium keeping.
Remember that they require specific conditions in the aquarium.
Have you ever kept an Archerfish? Share your experiences in the comments!
