Banded Archerfish

Banded Archerfish Care Guide

Tank Setup

• Tank Size: Minimum 200 liters (55 gallons) for juveniles, larger (300+ liters) for adults. They grow up to 25–30 cm (10–12 inches).

• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel.

• Décor: Open swimming space with driftwood, mangrove roots, and sturdy plants (ideally in pots, as they may uproot them).

• Special Feature: They thrive in brackish water, though some populations are found in freshwater. Brackish setup (with marine salt) is recommended for long-term health.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–30°C (75–86°F)

• pH: 7.0–8.0

• Salinity: SG 1.005–1.015 (brackish conditions)

• Hardness: 10–20 dGH

• Filtration: Strong, efficient filtration with moderate flow. Keep water clean, as they are sensitive to poor conditions.

Diet

• Carnivorous: Feed live or frozen foods such as crickets, mealworms, shrimp, and small fish.

• They may also accept floating pellets designed for carnivores.

• Naturally, they hunt insects by spitting jets of water to knock them off branches above the water surface.

Tank Mates

• Best kept with other large brackish species, such as scats, monos, and larger gobies.

• Avoid small fish—they will be seen as prey.

• Can be kept in groups, but ensure a large tank to reduce aggression.

Behavior

• Famous for their ability to spit water accurately at prey above the surface.

• Intelligent and active, often swimming near the top of the tank.

• Can become skittish in small tanks or with sudden movements.

Interesting Fact

The Banded Archerfish can shoot a stream of water up to 3 meters (10 feet) with pinpoint accuracy to knock insects off branches. Even more amazing—they compensate for light refraction at the water’s surface, meaning they can adjust their aim perfectly!