Archerfish Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Archerfish

Toxotes jaculatrix
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Toxotidae Bleeker, 1859
Genus:	*Toxotes* Cloquet, 1816
Type species
Labrus jaculator Shaw, 1803

The archerfish is a cool tropical fish known for its amazing hunting skill. It can "shoot down" insects and other small prey with jets of water! These fish are also called spinner fish.

There are ten different types, or species, of archerfish. They all belong to one main group called Toxotes. Most archerfish live in freshwater places like streams, ponds, and wetlands. But some can live in both fresh and brackish water. Brackish water is a mix of fresh and salty water, like in estuaries and mangrove areas. You can find archerfish in places like India, Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia.

Archerfish have flat bodies that are quite tall. Their dorsal fin (the one on their back) and their mouth form a straight line. Their mouth can stick out, and their lower jaw is longer than the top. Most archerfish are small, usually about 12 to 18 centimeters (5 to 7 inches) long. But one type, T. chatareus, can grow up to 40 centimeters (16 inches)!

Some people like to keep archerfish in their home aquariums. However, they can be tricky to care for. This is because they prefer to eat live insects instead of regular fish food.

How Archerfish Hunt
Species
Images for kids
See also

How Archerfish Hunt

An archerfish shooting water at a bug on a branch

Archerfish are super accurate when they shoot water. An adult fish almost always hits its target on the first try! They can knock down insects and other small prey up to 3 meters (10 feet) above the water.

How do they do it? First, they have very good eyesight. Second, they can adjust their aim for how light bends when it goes from air to water. This bending of light is called refraction. They usually shoot at an angle of about 74 degrees from the water's surface. But they can still hit their target even if they shoot at different angles.

When an archerfish picks its prey, it moves its eye so the insect's image lands on a special part of its eye. Then, its lips just break the water's surface. It squirts a powerful jet of water at the victim. The fish does this by making a small groove in the roof of its mouth. It also shapes its tongue into a narrow channel.

To fire, it squeezes its gill covers. This forces water through the channel. The stream of water travels faster at the back than at the front. This makes the stream turn into a blob right before it hits the target. The fish can change the speed of the water to match how far away the prey is. This makes archerfish one of the few animals that use and shape tools. They use the water and make it more useful for hunting. If they miss, they will keep shooting until they hit their target.

Young archerfish start shooting when they are about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long. But they are not very good at it at first. They have to learn by practicing. During this learning time, they hunt in small groups called schools. This way, there's a better chance that at least one fish will hit the target.

Studies have shown that archerfish can also learn by watching others. They can see another fish shoot and then understand how to do it themselves. They don't even need to practice right away! However, archerfish are careful when other fish are around. This is because other archerfish might try to steal their prey.

Sometimes, an archerfish will even jump out of the water to grab an insect. This happens if the insect is close enough to reach. These fish usually stay close to the water's surface.

New research shows that archerfish also use water jets to hunt underwater prey. They can find prey hidden in the mud, for example. Scientists are not sure if they learned to shoot in the air or underwater first. It's possible both skills developed at the same time.