Overview
Archerfish are known worldwide for their spectacular behavior of shooting down their prey with precise accuracy. There are many species of Archer fish and many are native to Australia. The Toxotes Jaculatrix is one of these Australian species which is a great archer for aquariums. These phenomenal fish make for very interesting additions to a native Australian aquarium and they are commonly kept in paludarium style setups where their natural behavior is exhibited during feeding time. The Archer fish has a contrasting coloration where it sports a shimmering silver body with a dark green cape. Its fins offer hints of yellow but the bold, jet black vertical bars along the side of this species really make it stand out. The body shape of the archer fish is also far different from other fish species in which this has a very flat top which makes it a clear surface welling. It also has large eyes which are perfect for locking onto prey and a powerful paddle-like tail which gives it immense power in the water. All of these hunting features coupled with a trap jaw-like mouth make this fish a skilled insect hunter. The Jaculatrix species can get fairly big maxing out at around 30 cm (11 inches) and are known to be peaceful in nature but will eat any fish which can fit into their largemouth. They are also best to be kept in a school with members of their species. Juvenile archer fish are often found in full freshwater bodies however to ensure proper health it is best to keep them in a brackish environment as they age. Trying to differentiate males and females in this species is extremely difficult and breeding them in the home aquarium equally so as very little information is known about the lifecycle of this species. Their native range is the northern tropical regions of Australia.
Care
Care Level: Moderate
Colour Form: Blue, Black, Silver
Diet: Carnivore
Max Size: 30cm
Tank Size: 150L
Temperature: 24-26c
pH: 7.0-8.5
*Product Photo is for reference only. Exact fish may vary in size and colour