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Archer Fish - Primitive

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Archer Fish - Primitive

Archerfish are remarkable for their instinctive ability to hunt by shooting jets of water at insects perched above the surface. This natural behavior allows them to dislodge prey from overhanging vegetation with surprising accuracy. Even without advanced learning, larger individuals can hit targets up to 2–3 meters away. In the wild, this unique strategy is a key survival trait, allowing archerfish to exploit food sources inaccessible to many other aquatic predators.

Shop live fish delivered to your door with our livestock delivery guarantee.


Features of Primitive Archer Fish:

  • Body coloration: Dusky brown or bronze to silvery-grey, fading to silver on the underside.

  • Markings: Typically displays 10 faint, narrow bars along the upper sides, extending slightly below the midline.

  • Fin coloration: Dusky dorsal, anal, and caudal fins; yellowish pelvic and pectoral fins; dark base on the pectoral fins.

  • Large eye & upward shaped mouth to spit water above the water line
  • Prefers brackish water
  • Grows to up to 20cm in captivity
  • Level of care: Intermediate
  • Average Lifespan : Up to 10 years

 

The Best Aquarium Size for Archer Fish:

The recommended tank size for Archer Fish is a minimum 200L. These fish grow large and are active swimmers in the top level water column. Ensure aquariums have a secure lid, as they are keen jumpers and are known to spit water out of the aquarium.

After an Aquarium for your fish? Browse our Aquarium Tank Selection here.


 

Tank Mate Compatibility:

A schooling fish by nature, the Archer Fish is a semi aggressive fish and an avid hunter. We recommend keeping this species with other fish of similar size and temperament. Small species may been seen as a snack.

Here’s a list of some of the best tank mates for your Archer Fish:
  • Mono's
  • Silver Scat
  • Red Scat
Coburg Aquarium, specialized in popular, unique & rare live fish.

 

Archer Fish Diet:

Archer fish are primarily carnivore's and actively hunt, even in the aquarium. They will take best to live foods such as brine shrimp, blood worms, mealworms & crickets. Some fish may take to floating pellets, but will usually avoid sinking foods. 

Check out our Top Rated Natural Fish Foods.


Archer Fish Tank Set-up:

Heater :

Ideal water temperatures sit between at a stable number between 25 ⁰C - 28 ⁰C.

Looking for a Heater for your fish? Check all available Tank Heater here.

Aquarium Lighting :

LED lights will provide you with the most customization and allow you to adjust the intensity of light to replicate natural lighting. The Archer Fish will tolerate high levels of lighting.

Need An Aquarium Light for your tank? Browse our Fish Tank Aquarium Lighting

Aquarium Substrate :

There is no preference for aquarium substrate. Archer Fish will spend their time within the upper water column. 

 A variety of Substrates are available at Coburg Aquarium.

Live Plants for Archer Fish:

They enjoy swimming in and around vegetation as they hunt for food in the upper water column. Brackish water is preferred, so ensure all plants have a salt tolerance level to some degree. Note that live aquatic plants may not live as long in brackish water.
  • Anubias
  • Cryptocoryne Wendtii
  • Amazon Sword
Interested in Live Plants for your aquariums? Click here to see more Fish Live Plant

Decorations for Archer Fish:

Artificial plants can work well, especially if keeping your fish in brackish water.

Additionally, you can also choose to use Aquarium Ornaments such as: Kazoo handmade fish decorations, caves, rocks, and maybe even driftwood will create a fun playground for them to swim around.

 

$121.22
Archer Fish - Primitive—
$121.22

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Description

Archerfish are remarkable for their instinctive ability to hunt by shooting jets of water at insects perched above the surface. This natural behavior allows them to dislodge prey from overhanging vegetation with surprising accuracy. Even without advanced learning, larger individuals can hit targets up to 2–3 meters away. In the wild, this unique strategy is a key survival trait, allowing archerfish to exploit food sources inaccessible to many other aquatic predators.

Shop live fish delivered to your door with our livestock delivery guarantee.


Features of Primitive Archer Fish:

  • Body coloration: Dusky brown or bronze to silvery-grey, fading to silver on the underside.

  • Markings: Typically displays 10 faint, narrow bars along the upper sides, extending slightly below the midline.

  • Fin coloration: Dusky dorsal, anal, and caudal fins; yellowish pelvic and pectoral fins; dark base on the pectoral fins.

  • Large eye & upward shaped mouth to spit water above the water line
  • Prefers brackish water
  • Grows to up to 20cm in captivity
  • Level of care: Intermediate
  • Average Lifespan : Up to 10 years

 

The Best Aquarium Size for Archer Fish:

The recommended tank size for Archer Fish is a minimum 200L. These fish grow large and are active swimmers in the top level water column. Ensure aquariums have a secure lid, as they are keen jumpers and are known to spit water out of the aquarium.

After an Aquarium for your fish? Browse our Aquarium Tank Selection here.


 

Tank Mate Compatibility:

A schooling fish by nature, the Archer Fish is a semi aggressive fish and an avid hunter. We recommend keeping this species with other fish of similar size and temperament. Small species may been seen as a snack.

Here’s a list of some of the best tank mates for your Archer Fish:
  • Mono's
  • Silver Scat
  • Red Scat
Coburg Aquarium, specialized in popular, unique & rare live fish.

 

Archer Fish Diet:

Archer fish are primarily carnivore's and actively hunt, even in the aquarium. They will take best to live foods such as brine shrimp, blood worms, mealworms & crickets. Some fish may take to floating pellets, but will usually avoid sinking foods. 

Check out our Top Rated Natural Fish Foods.


Archer Fish Tank Set-up:

Heater :

Ideal water temperatures sit between at a stable number between 25 ⁰C - 28 ⁰C.

Looking for a Heater for your fish? Check all available Tank Heater here.

Aquarium Lighting :

LED lights will provide you with the most customization and allow you to adjust the intensity of light to replicate natural lighting. The Archer Fish will tolerate high levels of lighting.

Need An Aquarium Light for your tank? Browse our Fish Tank Aquarium Lighting

Aquarium Substrate :

There is no preference for aquarium substrate. Archer Fish will spend their time within the upper water column. 

 A variety of Substrates are available at Coburg Aquarium.

Live Plants for Archer Fish:

They enjoy swimming in and around vegetation as they hunt for food in the upper water column. Brackish water is preferred, so ensure all plants have a salt tolerance level to some degree. Note that live aquatic plants may not live as long in brackish water.
  • Anubias
  • Cryptocoryne Wendtii
  • Amazon Sword
Interested in Live Plants for your aquariums? Click here to see more Fish Live Plant

Decorations for Archer Fish:

Artificial plants can work well, especially if keeping your fish in brackish water.

Additionally, you can also choose to use Aquarium Ornaments such as: Kazoo handmade fish decorations, caves, rocks, and maybe even driftwood will create a fun playground for them to swim around.