Archer Fish Diet and Feeding Guide
- Ajinkya Chopade
- Dec 5
- 7 min read
Archerfish are known for their amazing ability to spit water and knock insects into the water. Because of this, their diet is different from many other aquarium fish. They are natural surface hunters and need high-protein foods that float or move at the top. In this guide, you will learn what archer fish eat in the wild, the best foods for captivity, feeding schedules for juveniles and adults, basic nutrition needs, how to train them to spit, and how to fix feeding problems. This guide uses simple words and clear steps so you can feed your archer fish the right way.
1. What Archer Fish Eat in the Wild
Archerfish live in mangroves, river mouths, estuaries, and brackish areas. These places are full of insects and small creatures, making them a perfect hunting ground. Their wild diet includes:
Archerfish mainly eat insects, such as flies, beetles, ants, moths, spiders, and other small creatures that sit on branches or leaves above the water. These insects are their main food source in nature. They use their strong aim to shoot drops of water and knock insects into the water for easy catching. This surface-feeding behaviour is widely documented in scientific studies on the Toxotidae family.
They also eat spiders that rest close to the water. Spiders are rich in protein and are easy for archerfish to catch once they fall into the water.
Sometimes, archerfish eat small fish, but this is not their main food. They may eat tiny fish fry or small minnows occasionally, but insects make up most of their diet.
They are also natural surface feeders, meaning they prefer food near or above the water surface. This instinct should be supported in captivity because it keeps them active and healthy.
2. Best Foods for Archer Fish in Captivity
Archerfish do best on a diet that is similar to what they eat in the wild. They need insects, high protein, and floating foods. Below are the best options confirmed by expert aquarists and fish nutrition research.
Live Foods (Best & Most Natural Option)
Live foods are extremely important because archerfish are insect hunters. Live insects help them behave naturally and stay active. They also help improve colour, strength, and energy.
Good live foods include:
Archerfish love mealworms, and they are commonly used by aquarium keepers. Mealworms are high in protein and stimulate natural hunting behaviour. They float, making them perfect for surface feeders.
Crickets are one of the best foods because they mimic natural insects that archer fish would shoot in the wild. Crickets encourage surface hunting and support growth.
They also enjoy fly larvae, insect larvae, and small worms because they wriggle and attract attention. These foods are very nutritious and good for regular feeding.
Small crustaceans like shrimp or small prawns help provide extra nutrients and are easy for archerfish to digest.
Live foods should not be the only food, but they should be a regular part of the diet.
Frozen Foods (Good Secondary Option)
If live food is not available all the time, frozen foods are a safe and easy alternative. These foods still offer good nutrients.
Frozen insects, such as frozen mosquito larvae or frozen insect mixes, give extra protein and variety.
Frozen shrimp or frozen prawns can be cut into small pieces for archer fish. They have good protein content and help improve overall health.
Frozen worms like bloodworms or tubifex worms are a favourite for many fish and are easy to digest.
Frozen foods are helpful when you want to avoid live-food pests or keep feeding simple.
Insect-Based Pellets (Balanced Daily Food)
Archer fish do well with floating pellets made specially for surface-feeding fish. Floating pellets support their natural behaviour and prevent sinking food waste.
High-protein pellets made from insect meal are ideal. These pellets better match their natural diet than grain-based pellets.
These pellets help maintain balanced nutrition, especially when live food is not available daily.
3. Archer Fish Feeding Schedule
Feeding the right amount is important. Overfeeding can cause health problems, and underfeeding can reduce activity and colour.
Feeding Juvenile Archer Fish
Juvenile archer fish need small meals 2–3 times a day. They grow fast, so they need more energy. They benefit from live insects, small worms, insect-based pellets, and tiny crustaceans.
Feeding Adult Archer Fish
Adults can be fed once or twice per day. Too much food can cause bloating and water pollution. Adults do best with a mixture of live foods, frozen foods, and pellets.
A good routine is
A morning feeding with pellets or frozen foods.
An evening feeding with live insects or worms.
This keeps them active and supports natural behaviour.
4. Nutrition Requirements
Archerfish are insectivores, which means their body needs high-quality animal protein, not plant-based fillers. Protein is the most important nutrient because it keeps them strong, supports fast movement, and helps them maintain their natural bright colour.
They also need nutrients that come naturally from insects, such as healthy fats, minerals, and essential amino acids. These nutrients support growth, immunity, and energy levels, allowing the fish to stay active and hunt confidently.
Archerfish are surface feeders, and their mouth shape is designed to eat food that stays near the top of the water. Because of this, floating foods are very important. Sinking foods may cause stress or digestive issues because they are not suited to bottom feeding.
Giving them a balanced mix of high-protein, insect-based foods and floating diets keeps archerfish healthy, active, and behaving naturally.
5. How to Train Archer Fish to Spit (Step-by-Step Method)
Spitting is their natural feeding behaviour, and you can train them to do it inside the tank.
Step 1—Start With Floating Insects
Offer crickets or mealworms on a floating target or small leaf at the surface.
Step 2—Raise the Target a Little
Slowly move the insect higher by:
Sticking it on a small clip
Using a feeding stick
Using a floating toy with an insect attached
Step 3—Let the Fish Observe and Aim
Archerfish can learn quickly. They watch and study the target.
Step 4—Reward Success
Once the fish spits and knocks down the insect, let them eat it. This reward helps them repeat the behaviour.
Step 5—Increase Height Gradually
Never increase height too fast. Start with 2–3 cm above water, then go higher as the fish improve.
Step 6—Use Small Targets
Once they learn, you can use:
Small beads
Toy insects
Printed targets
This keeps them mentally active and healthy.
6. Feeding Problems and Solutions
Feeding problems are common when the diet or tank conditions are not right.
Not Eating
If an archerfish refuses food, the most common causes are stress, wrong salinity, bad water, or poor tank mates. Testing the water and improving conditions usually helps.
Poor Aim
Poor aim usually means the fish is stressed or unhealthy. Clean water, proper salinity, and a good diet help restore normal behaviour.
Aggressive Feeding
Archerfish may become aggressive during feeding if space is limited. Giving more surface area and feeding in different spots can reduce competition.
Archer fish need a proper insect-based diet to stay healthy and active. They thrive on live foods like mealworms, crickets, worms, insects, and small crustaceans, along with frozen foods and high-protein floating pellets. A good feeding schedule and proper nutrition keep them strong, colourful, and alert. When their diet matches nature, they show their true behaviour, including shooting water and hunting at the surface. With the right care, feeding archer fish becomes simple, enjoyable, and rewarding.
FAQs About Archer Fish Diet & Feeding
1. What do Archer fish eat?
Archerfish mainly eat insects because they are natural insectivores. In captivity, they do best with mealworms, crickets, insect-based pellets, frozen foods, and small live insects. These foods give them high protein and match their wild diet.
2. Can Archer fish eat mealworms every day?
They can eat mealworms, but not every day. Mealworms are high in fat, so it is better to feed them 2–3 times a week along with other foods like crickets, frozen shrimp, or quality pellets. A mixed diet keeps them healthy and prevents fat buildup.
3. How often should I feed archer fish?
Juveniles need to eat 2–3 small meals per day, while adults need only one or two meals daily. The key rule is to give only what they finish in a few minutes. Overfeeding can cause poor water quality and health problems.
4. Why do my archer fish spit at food?
Spitting is their natural hunting behaviour. In the wild, they shoot water droplets to knock insects off leaves. In the aquarium, they may spit at floating food or the tank lid. This is normal and shows healthy behaviour.
5. What should I do if my archer fish stops eating?
First, check water quality. Bad water is the most common reason fish refuse food. Also, try offering live insects like small crickets or mealworms, which usually restart appetite. If the fish still refuses food, it may be stressed or sick and may need proper treatment or expert help.
6. Do Archer fish need floating foods?
Yes. Their mouth is shaped for surface feeding, so floating foods are the best choice. Sinking foods often go uneaten or cause stress because these fish are not bottom feeders. Floating insects, pellets, and flakes are ideal.
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