{"product_id":"archerfish-toxotes-jaculatrix","title":"Archerfish | Toxotes jaculatrix","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe sharpshooter of the fish world, the Archerfish downs insects by spitting a precise jet of water to knock them from overhanging leaves, then races to snatch them from the surface. It is a striking, intelligent brackish-water fish that is endlessly entertaining at feeding time. A large, active species reaching around 25–30 cm, it needs a roomy, lidded aquarium and the company of its own kind.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eToxotes jaculatrix lives in the estuaries, mangroves and tidal river mouths of the Indo-Pacific, from India through Southeast Asia to northern Australia. These are warm, brackish waters where it patrols just beneath the surface among roots and overhanging vegetation. A brackish aquarium with open surface space, driftwood or mangrove roots and strong filtration best recreates its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA deep-bodied, silver fish flattened toward the back, marked with four to six bold black bars or wedges down the flanks and a flat-topped head with an upturned mouth built for surface feeding. The dorsal fin is set well back, giving it a distinctive arrow-like profile. Colour is bright silver with yellow-tinged fins that intensify in clean, well-fed fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and territorial toward its own kind unless kept as a group in a spacious tank, where squabbling is spread out. It is generally peaceful with similar-sized fish but will eat anything small enough to fit in its mouth. Best kept with other robust brackish species of comparable size. Keep several rather than a single fish to settle their pecking order.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA surface-feeding carnivore that relishes floating and live foods, insects such as crickets and mealworms, and meaty frozen foods like prawn and bloodworm. It will learn to take floating pellets. Offer live insects at the surface to see the famous water-spitting behaviour. Feed a varied, protein-rich diet.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 200 L, with 300 L or larger far better for a group of these active fish. Keep temperature at 25–28 °C, pH 7.5–8.2 and hard water, with brackish salinity around SG 1.005–1.015. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as archerfish are superb jumpers, and leave open surface space above the water. Strong filtration and regular water changes keep this messy feeder healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is rare in home aquaria and challenging. In the wild, archerfish move to brackish or marine conditions to spawn, scattering hundreds of buoyant eggs that drift among surface vegetation. The demanding conditions and the fish's large adult size make aquarium spawning very difficult, and it is seldom achieved by hobbyists.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eToxotes jaculatrix\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBanded Archerfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific estuaries and mangroves (Southeast Asia to northern Australia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 25–30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial with own kind)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (surface): insects, live and meaty frozen foods, floating pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5–8.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 12–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrackish, around SG 1.005–1.015\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, lidded brackish aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (does not eat plants, though brackish conditions limit which live plants thrive)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other robust brackish species of similar size such as monos, scats, targetfish, larger gobies and mollies acclimated to brackish water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small fish that will be eaten, delicate or long-finned species, and strict freshwater fish that cannot tolerate brackish salinity. Avoid an open-topped tank, as they jump.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232769786147,"sku":null,"price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232769818915,"sku":"AA1525","price":64.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232769851683,"sku":null,"price":74.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351954407715,"sku":null,"price":84.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Banded_Archerfish.jpg?v=1781482306","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/archerfish-toxotes-jaculatrix","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}