Largescale Archerfish
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
The Largescale Archerfish requires a diet of live insects. JJPhoto.dk
Overview
A fascinating fish, similar to the widespread Banded Archerfish. They can shoot a hard stream of well-aimed water up to 1.5 meters (60 in.) to knock insects from branches into the water, where they attack instantly. Difficult to keep and feed in the average home aquarium. Does best in brackish water with a special setup and handfeeding.
Family: Toxotidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: Mangrove swamps. May move into freshwater and back.
Maximum length: 40 cm (16 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 285 L (75 gal)
Water: Brackish 25 °C (77 °F) - 30 °C (86 °F)
General swimming level: Top.
Feeding
Omnivore. Eats insects that it shoots down or jumps out of the water to catch. Will also take smaller fishes and other animals and will eat tender floating plant matter.
Special Care
Difficult to keep, requiring a special tank with a tall hood and a proper diet of live insects fed at the surface.
Breeding/Propagation
Very prolific in the wild, with females laying between 20,000 and 150,000 floating eggs during the rainy season, according to Dr. Gerald Allen (1991).