Archefish

Scientific name: Toxotes jaculatrix

DESCRIPTION:

The banded archerfish has a very pointed head; its body is silver and it has a series of dark bands, the first of which crosses the eye and the other the base of the caudal fin. It has a large mouth turned forward.

Its maximum size is 24 cm.

BIOLOGY:

The banded archerfish patrols the surface and spits out water with great precision and force at insects on a leaf or branch out of the water.

The impact can knock a victim over 1.5 metres away into the water.

Its reproduction is oviparous, that is, it lays eggs.

HABITAT:

The banded archerfish is an animal that lives in salty waters (intermediate salinity) that are warm (between 25 and 30ºC).

DISTRIBUTION:

It is found in the mouths of rivers giving on to the Indian Ocean (Southeast Asia, India and north of Australia).

STATUS:

Species not evaluated (according to the red list of endangered species).

CURIOSITIES:

The banded archerfish is the animal that can spit most powerfully.