Family : Toxotidae (Archerfishes)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Banded archerfish
Fish Name : Toxotes jaculatrix
Max size : 30.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 4833)
Environment : reef-associated; amphidromous
Climate : tropical; 25 - 30°C
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Asia and Oceania: India eastward to the Philippines, and south to Indonesia, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-17
Biology : Occurs primarily in brackish mangrove estuaries, but also penetrates rivers and small streams (Ref. 4833, 44894). Reported to occur near overhanging vegetation on reefs (Ref. 9710, 48636). Usually in small aggregations (Ref. 48635). Feeds at the surface during daytime on floating debris which includes insects and vegetable matter. It is renowned for its ability to 'shoot down' insect prey by expelling beads of water from its mouth with considerable force and for its remarkable ability to compensate for visual refraction when aiming its shoots; shooting range is about 150 cm (Ref. 2847, 55339). Sold fresh in markets
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Allen, G.R.. 1991. (Ref. 2847)

India country information
Common Names : Banded archerfish
Status : native
Salinity : freshwater, brackish
Uses : live export: ornamental