Banded archerfishes (Toxotes jaculatrix) on the Shores of Singapore

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Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrata > fishes > Family Toxotidae

Banded archerfish
Toxotes jaculatrix
Family Toxotidae
updated Aug 08

Where seen? This active fish is often seen in groups under jetties, bridges in streams near mangroves. There is usually large groups of really large fat ones under the main bridge at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Features: To about 20cm long, those seen about 7-10cm. 4-5 broad black vertical bands that taper towards the bottom of the body. More about the archerfishes' infamous ability to shoot down insects.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Feb 05

Human uses: Sometimes sold fresh in markets. Also taken for the live aquarium trade.

Status and threats: Our archerfishes are not listed among the threatened animals of Singapore. However, like other creatures of the intertidal zone, they are affected by human activities such as reclamation and pollution. Over-collection can also affect local populations.

Banded archerfishes on Singapore shores

Sentosa Serapong, Apr 11
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Feb 11

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Jan 04

Comparing the Spotted archerfish (left)
with the Banded archerfish (right).
Changi Jetty, Dec 09

Sentosa Siloso, May 09
Photo shared by Ivan Kwan on his blog

Pasir Ris Park, Feb 12

Links

Banded Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) Lim, Kelvin K. P. & Jeffrey K. Y. Low, 1998. A Guide to the Common Marine Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 163 pp.
Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) Ng, Peter K. L. & N. Sivasothi, 1999. A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore II (Animal Diversity). Singapore Science Centre. 168 pp.
Banded Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) from FishBase: Technical fact sheet.
Banded Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) from the Australian Museum Fish Site: fact sheet with photo
Banded Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) from Fishes of Bitung (Northern Tip of Sulawesi Indonesia) by Seishi Kimura and Keiichi Matsuura (eds.) on the National Science Museum, Tokyo website: factsheets with photos and descriptions.

References

Lim, Kelvin K. P. & Jeffrey K. Y. Low, 1998. A Guide to the Common Marine Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 163 pp. Banded Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix)
Ng, Peter K. L. & N. Sivasothi, 1999. A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore II (Animal Diversity). Singapore Science Centre. 168 pp. Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix)
Allen, Gerry, 2000. Marine Fishes of South-East Asia: A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Periplus Editions. 292 pp.
Lieske, Ewald and Robert Myers. 2001. Coral Reef Fishes of the World Periplus Editions. 400pp.

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