Archer Fish Care Guide (Tank Setup, Diet, Habitat and Behaviour)
- Ajinkya Chopade
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Archer fish belong to the family Toxotidae. They are best known for their unique hunting method: they spit jets of water to knock insects and other small prey from overhanging branches into the water. Several species of archer fish are kept in aquariums, and sizes vary by species; many commonly seen in the hobby reach about 15–30 cm (6–12 in) when fully grown. In the wild, they live in coastal and estuarine areas where they move between fresh, brackish, and marine conditions during their life.
Archerfish are naturally found in mangrove forests, river mouths, and coastal estuaries across the Indo-Pacific region. These areas provide overhanging vegetation and insects at the water surface—the exact environment archer fish evolved to hunt. Many archerfish live mainly in brackish water, though they also occur in freshwater streams and can tolerate changes in salinity as they move between habitats. Wild archer fish often patrol shallow waters near roots and fallen twigs where they can target insects and spiders above the surface.
1. Types of Archer Fish (Species Overview)
There are several species in the family Toxotidae that appear in the aquarium trade. The banded archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) is the most commonly seen species and is often sold under the name “archer fish.” It has distinctive dark wedge-shaped bars on a silvery body and reaches roughly 20–30 cm as an adult. Other species may be smaller or slightly different in pattern, and some hobbyists keep large-scale or small-scale archerfish, which have their own subtle care differences. All share the spitting strategy and surface-oriented lifestyle.
2. Behaviour
Spitting behaviour
Archerfish shoot water by forming a narrow channel with the tongue and closing the opercula to force a focused jet of water. This jet can knock insects into the water from some distance. Young fish learn to aim by practice and social observation; groups may feed together, and juveniles often form small schools to develop their shooting skills. The spitting behaviour is their signature trait and should be encouraged by offering surface or over-water prey in a secure way.
Jumping behaviour
Archerfish will sometimes jump to catch prey that hangs just above the water. Because of this, they are escape risks in poorly covered tanks. Always use a tight lid or canopy and ensure any equipment or lighting above the water has no gaps that the fish can use to leap out. A paludarium with secure barriers over the water is ideal for safely allowing this natural behaviour.
Are archerfish aggressive?
Archerfish are not typically highly aggressive toward peaceful, similarly sized fish, but they can show intraspecific aggression or opportunistic predation if tankmates are much smaller. Mixed groups of the same size tend to do best. Be cautious when placing them with small schooling fish or fry—archerfish may eat anything that fits in their mouth. Also note that larger or dominant archer fish can bully smaller conspecifics, so size matching and group composition matter.
3. Archer Fish Tank Setup
Archerfish live and feed at the surface, so tank dimensions should favour length and surface area rather than great depth. For a single adult archerfish, you should consider a tank that is at least 120 cm (4 ft) long and holds 45–75+ liters as a very minimum, with larger volumes preferred. For groups of archer fish—and these fish do best in small groups so they can learn and behave naturally—you should move into much larger tanks: a 1.5 m (5 ft) plus length tank with high surface area is commonly recommended. Because they jump when chasing prey, a tight-fitting lid or canopy and plenty of open surface are essential. These requirements make archerfish more suitable for experienced keepers or public displays than tiny home bowls.
Water parameters
Archer fish prefer warm, stable water. Keep the temperature between 24–28°C (75–82°F) and avoid sudden changes, as these fish get stressed easily. The ideal pH is 7.5–8.0 for brackish setups, though they can live in neutral to slightly alkaline freshwater if acclimated slowly. Good oxygenation and light surface movement help because archer fish spend most of their time near the top.
Keep ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm at all times. Nitrates should stay below 20–30 ppm below, as high nitrate levels can reduce their appetite and weaken immunity. Do 25–40% water changes weekly , depending on your stocking level and feeding routine.
Brackish vs freshwater
Many archer fish naturally live in brackish estuaries, so light brackish water often keeps them healthier and less stressed. Use a quality marine salt mix and raise the salinity slowly over several days to reach the desired specific gravity.
Some keepers keep archer fish in freshwater long term, and this can work with certain species or captive-bred individuals, but the change must be very gradual. When possible, brackish conditions are the safer and more natural choice.
Filtration needs
Archer fish need strong, reliable filtration because they are active eaters and produce normal waste. Choose filters that offer good mechanical and biological filtration but avoid harsh surface currents. Canister filters, hang-on-back filters, and sumps work well.
Add a prefilter sponge to protect juveniles and keep the intake from pulling them in. Stable filtration paired with routine water changes keeps nitrate levels under control.
Hardscape & plants
Create an open swimming area with natural-looking hardscape. Use overhanging driftwood or mangrove-style branches to mimic their environment and encourage natural spitting behaviour. Make sure all decorations are secure so they cannot fall into the tank.
Floating plants and marginal plants provide shade and comfort but leave most of the surface open for swimming and feeding. A paludarium-style setup is excellent because it allows exposed branches above the water.
Lighting
Use moderate lighting. A very bright light can stress the fish, while a very dim light reduces tank visibility. Keep a normal day–night cycle and avoid sudden bright flashes near the surface, as archer fish are jumpy and may leap out if startled.
4. Archer Fish Diet
Archerfish are carnivorous surface feeders that mainly hunt insects in the wild. They use their famous water-spitting behaviour to knock down prey such as flies, spiders, and small bugs from branches above the water.
In captivity, they should be fed a varied, protein-rich diet to stay healthy and active. Good daily foods include insects, small crustaceans, quality floating pellets, and frozen items like bloodworms or brine shrimp. Archerfish also eat mealworms, which make great enrichment food because they stimulate natural hunting behaviour.
You can offer live, freeze-dried, or chopped mealworms, but feed them in moderation as they are high in fat. Mixing mealworms with other insects, pellets, and frozen foods ensures balanced nutrition. Always feed small portions at a time because archerfish eat at the surface, and leftover food can quickly affect water quality.
5. Archerfish Health
Healthy archerfish are active, alert, and quick to feed at the surface. Good water quality and stable salinity are the best ways to prevent disease. When conditions decline, they may show signs like clamped fins, loss of appetite, color fading, or surface gulping.
Common issues include:
Ich (white spot), often triggered by temperature swings.
Fin rot is usually caused by poor water quality.
Fungal patches often appear after injuries.
Stress-related jumping injuries in tanks without lids.
Maintain stable parameters, keep nitrates low, and feed a varied diet to support a strong immune system. Quarantine new fish for at least 2 weeks before adding them to the main tank to prevent disease spread.
Stress signs
Watch for stress signs such as clamped fins, loss of appetite, unusual hiding, rapid gasping at the surface, or erratic swimming. Stress can come from poor water quality, wrong salinity, improper temperature, overcrowding, or incompatible tankmates. If you see these signs, check water parameters first and correct problems slowly.
6. Breeding
Breeding archer fish in home aquaria is rare and difficult. Most archerfish in the hobby are wild-collected, and captive breeding requires precise control of water conditions, pairing, and often larger setups to allow natural courtship and spawning. For these reasons, breeding archerfish is usually attempted only by advanced hobbyists or public aquaria that can provide the space and environmental stability needed.
Archerfish are fascinating and unique aquarium species because of their spitting hunting behaviour, surface-oriented lifestyle, and intelligence. They are best suited to experienced keepers who can provide a long, well-covered tank with stable water conditions and a varied diet rich in live prey. If you want a showpiece fish that displays interesting natural behaviour, and you can meet their special needs—plenty of surface area, a secure canopy, good filtration, and live or moving food—an archer fish can be a rewarding addition to the right aquarium.
FAQs: Archer Fish Care
1. Are Archer fish aggressive?
Archerfish are not very aggressive, but they can be competitive during feeding because they rush to the surface for food. Keeping them in a group of similar-sized fish helps reduce aggression. Avoid very small tank mates that may be swallowed.
2. How big do archer fish get?
Most commonly kept archer fish grow to around 15–20 cm in captivity. Some species get larger in the wild, but aquarium conditions usually keep them within this size range. A bigger tank is always better for long-term growth and behaviour.
3. Can Archer fish live in freshwater?
Yes, some archer fish can live in freshwater, especially captive-bred ones, but many species come from brackish habitats. They usually do better in lightly brackish water, which supports healthy behaviour and reduces stress. Always change the salinity slowly.
4. What do Archer fish eat?
Archer fish are carnivores that mainly eat insects. In home aquariums, they enjoy live insects, floating pellets, frozen foods, and mealworms. Mealworms can be offered live or freeze-dried, and they help stimulate natural hunting behaviour.
5. Do Archer fish need a lid?
Yes, a tight lid is important because archer fish can jump suddenly, especially when startled or while chasing insects. A secure cover prevents injuries and keeps the fish safe.
6. What tank size is best for archer fish?
A good starting size is at least 200–250 litres for a small group. Archer fish need long tanks with a wide surface area because they swim and feed at the top. Larger tanks help maintain stable water quality and reduce stress.
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