Banded archerfish
Toxotes jaculatrix
Neptune’s rating:
48- DifficultyDifficult
- FeedFlakes, Pellets, Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, Tubifex Worms, Frozen Shrimp, Vegetable Matter, Algae Wafers, Color Enhancing Food, Daphnia, Micro Worms, Feeder Fish, Freeze-dried Foods, Stick-on Tablets
- HardinessModerate
- Length10.0 - 15.0 cm
- Liters per Fish10 L
- pH6.0 - 7.5
- PopularityModerate
- RarityUncommon
- Minimum School Size6
- Tank HabitatSurface Dweller, Mid-tank Dweller, Bottom Dweller
- TemperamentAggressive, Social, Shy, Playful, Semi-aggressive
- Temperature22.0 - 28.0 °C
Please note: These values are based on the average of various confirmed sources.
More about Banded archerfish
The Banded archerfish, easily recognizable by its distinctive black and yellowish-white vertical stripes, originates from the Indo-Pacific region, extending from India to the Philippines, Australia, and Polynesia. This species is renowned for its unique hunting technique of shooting jets of water at insects above the surface, causing them to fall into the water for the fish to eat. The Banded archerfish has a somewhat laterally compressed body and can grow up to about 20-40 cm (8-16 inches) in length, depending on the specific species within the genus. While it is a subject of fascination due to its hunting behavior, it is not among the most common in the aquarium hobby, primarily due to its size and the need for a specialized tank setup to mimic its natural brackish water habitat. However, its intriguing habits and striking appearance do attract a dedicated following among more experienced aquarists.