Banded Archerfish – Toxotes jaculatrix

Meet the legendary Banded Archerfish, a brackish-water perciform celebrated for its precision hunting: it “shoots” streams of water to catch insects above the surface. With a sleek, silvery body and distinctive triangular flank bars, this active swimmer adds both intrigue and beauty to any well-maintained brackish setup.

Key Features:

• Species: Toxotes jaculatrix (Banded Archerfish)

• Temperament: Peaceful schooling fish; best kept in groups of 5+

• Water Parameters:

  • Salinity: SG 1.005–1.010 (brackish)

  • Temperature: 24–28 °C

  • pH: 7.5–8.2 (slightly alkaline)

  • Hardness: 10–20 °dGH

• Diet: Carnivorous—accepts live/frozen insects (crickets, bloodworms), sinking carnivore pellets

• Behavior: Surface-oriented hunter; excellent jumpers and active mid-water swimmers

Care & Setup Tips:

1. Brackish Mix: Gradually add marine salt to achieve SG 1.005–1.010.

2. Tank Décor: Provide open swimming zones with overhanging branches or floating plants to encourage shooting behavior.

3. Filtration & Flow: Use moderate filtration with gentle surface agitation to mimic river mouths.

4. Feeding Routine: Offer live insects at the surface 3× weekly; supplement with high-protein pellets.

5. Lid: Keep a secure lid in place—archerfish are expert jumpers when hunting.

What’s Included:

• One healthy, disease-screened Banded Archerfish

• Secure brackish-water packaging and detailed acclimation guide