FreshwaterBrackish
Spotted archerfish
Toxotes chatareus
Toxotidae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 40 cm
- Body shape
- Deep-bodied
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 1,464 liters
- Diet
- Missing
Know what is missing? Suggest it in the app.
Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
Native
Lives wild in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), and 6 more countries.
More about the species
Description
Occurs mainly in brackish mangrove estuaries, but also penetrates freshwater rivers and small streams. Inhabits coastal waters. Found along the shores of flowing and standing waters. Occurs in shaded areas with overhanging vegetation. Inhabits medium to large-sized rivers. Also found in lakes and billabongs. Feeds at the surface during the day on floating debris which includes insects and vegetable matter. Also consumes crustaceans and small fishes. Renowned for its habit of spitting to dislodge its insect prey from tree branches above the water; maximum shooting range is about 150 cm. Breeds from both fresh and brackish water. Breeding takes place in the wet season. Highly fecund female releases buoyant eggs. Lays 20,000 to 150,000 eggs, measuring about 0.4 mm in diameter. Occasionally caught by anglers and is reasonable eating. Sold fresh in markets.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Coius chatareus
- Taxotes chatareus
- Toxotes chaetareus
- Toxotes chatarcus
In other languages
- Fläckig Sprutfisk
- Plettet skyttefisk
- Archer fish, Archerfish, Common archer fish, Common archerfish, Giant archerfish, Largescale archerfish, Riflefish, Seven-spot archerfish, Sevenspot archerfish, Spotted archer fish
Articles
All articles
Fish that get along4 min read
Temperament, fin nippers, fish that eat other fish, and fish that need the same water. And what the Harmony mark in the app means.
How to set up an Asian aquarium5 min read
Two aquariums from Southeast Asia: calm forest streams and peat swamps with soft, brown water, and fast mountain streams with cool, oxygen-rich water.
How to set up an aquarium from Australia and New Guinea4 min read
The home of rainbowfish: water, substrate, plants and light for rainbowfish, blue-eyes and peacock gudgeons, with a long aquarium and open water in the middle.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.