Archerfish
Tropical fish that shoot water jets to catch land insects.
The archerfish, sometimes called the spinner fish, belongs to the family Toxotidae, a small group of tropical percomorphs famous for a hunting trick: they shoot down insects and other small prey on land by spitting jets of water from their specially adapted mouths. There are ten species split between two genera, *Toxotes* and *Protoxotes*. Most live in freshwater streams, ponds, and wetlands, though two or three species can handle both fresh and brackish water, like estuaries and mangroves. Their range stretches from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, through Southeast Asia, to Melanesia and northern Australia.
These fish have deep, flattened bodies, with a straight line running from the dorsal fin to the mouth. The mouth is protractile, and the lower jaw sticks out. They stay fairly small—usually 12 to 18 cm (5 to 7 inches)—but *Toxotes chatareus* can reach 40 cm (16 inches). Archerfish are popular in aquariums, but they’re tough for average keepers because they prefer live prey over standard fish food.
**Taxonomy** For a while, the archerfish’s family tree was unclear, and they were often lumped into the order Perciformes. More recent genetic studies have found their closest relatives are beachsalmons (family Leptobramidae), and together they form the suborder Toxotoidei within an expanded Carangiformes. The Leptobramidae have mouth features similar to those that let Toxotidae shoot water, backing up the link. In the past, *Toxotes* was the only genus in the family, but a 2022 study revived *Protoxotes* because of deep genetic differences.
**Species** There are nine valid species in *Toxotes*: - *Protoxotes lorentzi* (primitive archerfish) - *Toxotes blythii* (clouded archerfish, zebra archerfish) - *Toxotes carpentariensis* - *Toxotes chatareus* (largescale archerfish, common archerfish) - *Toxotes jaculatrix* (banded archerfish) - *Toxotes kimberleyensis* (Kimberley archerfish, western archerfish) - *Toxotes microlepis* (smallscale archerfish) - *Toxotes oligolepis* (big scale archerfish) - *Toxotes sundaicus*
One fossil species, †*Toxotes beauforti*, is known from the Eocene Sangkarewang Formation in Sumatra, Indonesia. It looks a lot like modern archerfish, except it has six dorsal spines instead of the four or five seen today.
**Capture of Prey** Archerfish are remarkably accurate—adults almost always hit their target on
- field
- Ichthyology
- known_for
- Shooting water jets to capture terrestrial prey
- size
- Typically up to 12–18 cm (5–7 in), but T. chatareus can reach 40 cm (16 in)
- habitat
- Freshwater streams, ponds, wetlands; some species in brackish estuaries and mangroves
- range
- India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Melanesia, Northern Australia
Lore & Background
Archerfish are remarkably accurate in their shooting; an adult fish almost always hits the target on the first shot. Although it is presumed that all archerfish species do this, it has only been confirmed from T. blythii, T. chatareus and T. jaculatrix. They can bring down insects and other prey up to 3 m (10 ft) above the water's surface, compensating for the refraction of light as it passes through the air-water interface. They typically spit at prey at a mean angle of about 74° from the horizontal but can still aim accurately when spitting at angles between 45° and 110°.
When an archerfish selects its prey, it rotates its eye so that the image falls on a particular portion of the retina, and its lips just break the surface, squirting a jet of water. It forms a small groove in the roof of its mouth and its tongue into a narrow channel, then fires by contracting its gill covers and forcing water through the channel. The stream travels faster at the rear than at the front, causing it to become a blob directly before impact. This makes it one of the few animals that both make and use tools. Young archerfish start shooting when about 2.5 cm long but are inaccurate at first and must learn from experience, often hunting in small schools to increase hit probability. A 2006 experimental study found that archerfish appear to benefit from observational learning by watching a performing group member shoot.
Reader's Guide
The archerfish holds a significant place in the study of animal behavior and biomechanics due to its unique projectile use. Its ability to accurately shoot water jets to capture aerial prey demonstrates advanced sensory-motor coordination, including compensation for light refraction. The species also exhibits social learning, as shown in a 2006 study where observers learned shooting without practice, implying cognitive abilities rare among fish. Additionally, archerfish are one of the few animals known to both make and use tools, as they shape water into a useful projectile. New research indicates they also use jets to hunt underwater prey, suggesting exaptation—where an adaptation for one function is co-opted for another. The family's taxonomic history reflects ongoing scientific refinement: once placed in Perciformes, phylogenetic studies now place them in the suborder Toxotoidei within an expanded Carangiformes, with closest relatives being beachsalmons (Leptobramidae). A 2022 study revived the genus Protoxotes due to deep genetic divergence. The fossil species †Toxotes beauforti from the Eocene of Sumatra closely resembles modern species, indicating the shooting mechanism has ancient origins. Archerfish are popular in aquaria but difficult to maintain due to their preference for live prey.
Did You Know?
- Archerfish can shoot prey up to 3 m (10 ft) above the water's surface.
- They are one of the few animals that both make and use tools, shaping water into a useful projectile.
- A 2006 study found archerfish can learn to shoot by watching other group members, an example of social learning in fish.
- The fossil species †Toxotes beauforti from the Eocene had six dorsal spines, unlike the four or five in modern species.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an archerfish?
The archerfish (family Toxotidae) is a small tropical fish best known for its signature hunting trick: spitting a jet of water to knock insects and other tiny prey off overhanging vegetation into the water. It is also occasionally called the spinner fish.
How does an archerfish actually catch its food?
It cups its mouth and tongue into a narrow tube and fires a precise, forceful stream of water at a target above the surface, knocking the insect or small creature down into the water where it can be grabbed. This spitting behavior is the trait that gives the group its common name.
Where do archerfish live in the wild?
They occupy freshwater streams, ponds, and wetlands stretching from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka across Southeast Asia to Melanesia and northern Australia. A handful of species also handle brackish settings such as mangroves and estuaries.
How big do archerfish get?
Most species top out around 12 to 18 cm (roughly 5 to 7 inches) in length, though the larger Toxotes chatareus can reach about 40 cm (16 inches).
How many archerfish species are there, and how are they classified?
There are ten recognized species split between two genera, Toxotes and Protoxotes, all sitting within the small family Toxotidae, a group of tropical percomorph fish.
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