Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Banded Archerfish
Toxotes jaculatrix
Also called Archerfish, Archer fish, Toxotes jaculator (trade misspelling)
From Indo-Pacific: India east to the Philippines and south through Indonesia to northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, in mangrove estuaries, rivers and streams123
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Deep-bodied, laterally compressed scaled fish
A flat-sided, silvery-white fish with a straight back, a pointed upturned mouth and four to six bold black bands across its flanks. The back is olive-green to brown and the dorsal fin is set far back. Large eyes on the top of the head give it binocular vision for aiming above the surface.23
Personality what they are like
Generally peaceful and curious, spending much of its time near the surface watching for food. It can bicker with its own kind and may eat very small fish.31
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A surface-oriented swimmer that loves to hunt above the waterline. Leaving an air gap and some overhanging plants lets it practise its shooting.312
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep warm at about 25 to 30 C, pH 7.0 to 8.0 and hard water. A brackish setup suits adults best, though juveniles cope with fresh water. A tall, secure lid is important because it jumps.312
Home where they are happiest
Seriously Fish recommends a tank with a base of at least 120 x 60 cm (around 432 litres); Wikipedia mentions 45 to 55 US gallons or more. Mangrove roots and plants hanging over the water recreate its home.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Eats insects and other invertebrates from above and below the water, small fish now and then and some plant matter. In captivity it accepts floating pellets, flake and frozen foods such as bloodworm, plus live insects.321
Company who they like around
Lives in small groups in the wild. Keeping four or five together reduces squabbles, and good companions include scats, monos and green chromides.31
The story where it all began
Peter Simon Pallas described the banded archerfish in 1767. Its scientific name combines the Greek for archer and the Latin for 'she who throws', after its famous water-shooting habit. It is sold fresh in local markets in parts of its range and is also a well-known aquarium fish.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It knocks insects off leaves by spitting a jet of water, usually hitting targets up to about 1.5 metres away, and large fish can reach 2 to 3 metres.2
- 2
It automatically corrects for the way light bends at the water surface when aiming.1
- 3
Young archerfish improve their aim by watching more experienced fish in their group.2
- 4
It can react to falling prey in about 50 milliseconds.2
- 5
It is thought to travel to full seawater to breed, which is why it is rarely bred in aquariums.3
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 2011)1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Banded Archerfish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkBrackish fish need a little marine salt, and some need more as they growevery week
- Water changeAbout 25% of the water, mixed to the same salinityevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Toxotes jaculatrix, Banded archerfish fishbase.seused for size, environment, temperature, distribution, IUCN status, diet, describer
- Wikipedia: Banded archerfish en.wikipedia.orgused for appearance, lifespan, shooting behaviour, history, fun facts
- Seriously Fish: Toxotes jaculatrix seriouslyfish.comused for water parameters, tank size, diet, compatibility, breeding note
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.