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.