Banded Archerfish

Toxotes jaculatrix

Size: Up to around 25 cm.
Lifespan: Around 5 years.
Food: Insects.

An insect sniper

A real sharpshooter lives here! A banded archerfish can shoot down insects at a distance of 2-3 metres. When it sees a tempting insect sitting on a branch it sprays water with incredible accuracy. The insect falls down into the water and is eaten by the archerfish.

Even though the banded archerfish lives in the water it hunts insects on land.

Several banded archerfish shoots water on the hand of the animal keeper, to get the food on the spoon.
Photo: Ellika-Nordström-Malmö-Museer

Learn from watching eachother

Young fish practise their accuracy and hunt together. They learn from watching what the adult fish do.

Banded archerfish can live in both fresh and salt water. But they are happiest by the coast with tree branches and leaves hanging over the water. Then there are a lot of insects to catch. 

The banded archerfish becomes better at shooting by watching other fish in the group.
Photo: wildsingapore-CC-BY-NC-ND

Distribution worldwide

Coastal areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Threat based on the Red List

Trade regulations

CITES: Not listed.