Seven-spot Archerfish

About

The seven-spot archerfish (Toxotes chatareus) is one of six members of a family that has evolved one of the more extraordinary hunting techniques in the fish world. The ability to spit a precisely aimed jet of water to knock insects and other small prey from vegetation above the surface. While its relative Toxotes jaculatrix is the archerfish most often seen in the hobby, this larger species reportedly leans toward jumping as an alternative hunting strategy. In the wild it ranges from Sri Lanka and India across to New Guinea and northern Australia, living mainly in brackish mangrove estuaries but also pushing well into freshwater rivers, lakes, and billabongs. Typically favouring shaded areas where branches hang over the water. In the aquarium it is generally peaceful toward tankmates of comparable size, and does well alongside other brackish species like scats, monos, and green chromides. Smaller fish are at risk of being eaten, and while individuals can squabble with each other, keeping a group of four or five tends to spread any tension around. A secure lid is absolutely essential given their well-documented jumping ability. This is an intermediate-level species best kept in a proper brackish setup, even though juveniles are sometimes reported to tolerate freshwater for a time.