Banded archerfish Profile

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.