Zviera
Banded archerfish
Toxotes jaculatrix. A fish that knocks insects into the water.
Jazyk obsahu
The banded archerfish can find food above the water's surface. A jet fired from its mouth knocks insects off leaves and branches. Its tongue presses against a groove in the roof of its mouth, forming a channel through which it expels water. After a successful shot, it must quickly reach the falling prey, because other archerfish may seize the opportunity. Its eyes face forwards, towards the space where it searches for food.
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, from India to Australia. It is associated with coastal mangroves and brackish water, a mixture of seawater and fresh water. However, it also tolerates fresh and salt water. Small groups swim near the surface, with access to insects above it.
Its diet also includes crustaceans, molluscs, small fish and plant material. Four or five dark bars mark the sides of its body. These shorten with age, giving young and older fish a different appearance.
Pre deti
An insect on a branch is not always safe from fish. An archerfish can aim its mouth at an insect and hit it with a jet of water. Its tongue and a groove in the roof of its mouth form a narrow channel. Water shoots through it. Once the insect falls, the fish swims over for its meal. It must hurry, because another archerfish might take the prey.
These fish live from India to Australia. They often inhabit mangroves, trees growing along tropical shores. Fresh and salt water meet there. Archerfish also tolerate other salt levels and swim in small groups just below the surface.
They eat insects, but also small fish, crustaceans, molluscs and plants. Their eyes face forwards. Dark bars along their sides help identify them; the bars are shorter in older fish.
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How does an archerfish catch insects sitting above the water?
- Poloha
- At the Border of Water and Land, second floor, tank 402 · Gdynia Aquarium