# banded archerfish (*Toxotes jaculatrix*) The banded archerfish is a cool fish known for its amazing ability to shoot water at insects above the water! They live in rivers and can be found in warm waters. Watching them is like seeing a little water shooter in action! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![banded archerfish](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Toxotes_jaculatrix.jpg&width=800) Photo: Chrumps, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toxotes_jaculatrix.jpg) ## Appearance The banded archerfish has a distinctive, silver body adorned with four to six prominent black vertical bands. It features a pointed snout and large, upward-facing eyes, perfectly adapted for hunting targets above the water surface. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Perciformes - **Family:** Toxotidae - **Genus:** Toxotes ## Interesting facts - Archerfish have amazing vision to spot tiny insects many feet away! - Some archerfish prefer to hunt in groups, working together for a meal! - Their eyes are specially designed to see both above and below the water! - They can learn quickly and even improve their aim with practice! ## Special abilities - **Precision Spitting:** Banded archerfish can shoot powerful jets of water because of their specialized mouth structure that helps them knock down insects from branches. - **Refraction Vision:** Banded archerfish has keen vision that helps them correct for light bending, ensuring accurate shots at prey from underwater. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.3 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-7 years - **Swim Speed:** 5 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 2 m - **Water Type:** Brackish ## Diet & Feeding Shoots down insects and small animals with water for a meal. - **Primary Foods:** insects, spiders, small crustaceans, larvae, tiny fish - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** House fly (*Musca domestica*) — A common aerial insect prey for archerfish. - **Hunts:** Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Frequently targeted insect, often found near water. - **Eaten by:** [Barramundi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barramundi) (*Lates calcarifer*) — A larger predatory fish sharing similar habitats. - **Shelter:** [Red Mangrove](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-mangrove) (*Rhizophora mucronata*) — Provides habitat and perching spots for prey. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch fish from a safe distance and don't try to touch them in the water. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify banded archerfish? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is banded archerfish? 15-30 cm ### How much does banded archerfish weigh? 0.05-0.3 kg ### How long does banded archerfish live? 5-7 years ### What does banded archerfish eat? Shoots down insects and small animals with water for a meal. ### How fast can banded archerfish swim? 5 km/h ### Where is banded archerfish usually found? Coastal areas ### How does banded archerfish hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Greater Cleveland Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greater-cleveland-aquarium-ohio) — Ohio, US · Aquarium - [Waikiki Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/waikiki-aquarium) — Hawaii, US · Zoo - [Greater Cleveland Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greater-cleveland-aquarium) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Waikiki Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/waikiki-aquarium-hawaii) — Hawaii, US · Aquarium - [Zoo Frankfurt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-frankfurt) — Hessen, DE · Zoo - [Tierpark und Fossilium Bochum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-und-fossilium-bochum) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see banded archerfish](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/banded-archerfish) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Banded Archerfish: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/banded-archerfish)