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Freshwater fishArcher Fish
Archer Fish
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The banded archer fish is named for bow and arrow hunters. In the wilds of the Indonesian jungles, archer fish will swim near the surface of slow-moving water. When a small insect is near, whether in flight or napping on a tree leaf, the archer fish will shoot a stream of drops to dislodge the insect so that it falls to the water surface. Then the archer fish eats it. In the fish tank, they continue to spit, so don't be surprised to be hit by water from time to time.
Frozen food works well, though sometimes these fish will adapt to flake. Always bugs.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Toxotes jaculatrix |
| Origin | Southeast Asia and northern Australia |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful (eats very small fish) |
| Adult Size | Up to 6–10" |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
| Diet | Carnivore (meaty foods) |
| Water Temperature | 75–82°F |
| pH | 7.0–8.0 |
| Group Size | Single or group |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 2" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Archerfish hunt at the surface, so leave space between the water and the lid. They do best in slightly salty (brackish) water. Keep a lid on the tank.
Feeding: Feed floating pellets or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms.
Tankmates: They are peaceful but will eat very small fish. Keep them with other brackish fish like scats and monos.
Good to know: Archerfish can shoot a jet of water to knock insects off leaves above the water.
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